Elmo's Cinematic Reflections [Archive]

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 04:44 PM

Now it's my turn to do some reviewing. My first review technically was of Captain America: The First Avenger (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=797380). I will post the first one in this thread later today. :)

Oh, and here is how I rate my reviews. Kind of simply really...

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif - Excellent
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif - Very good
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif - Good
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifFair
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif- Poor

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg - WTF??

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 05:40 PM

http://i53.tinypic.com/2aosn5.jpg

Ok, this is a frustrating review to write because there are parts of this remake to 1985 film which I enjoyed. More so, if a bit more time had of been spent developing said ideas fans could have had a much stronger film than what this ended up being.

Fright Night follows the same plot as the original. The probelm is that with the remake there's no build up. The film starts. People are getting wasted. Evil Ed (Christoper Mintz Plase)knows all about Jerry (Colin Farrell), who has already moved next door to Charlie (Anton Yelchin). It felt too patchy.

On the flip side the remake takes us to Vegas. It's a cool idea and while I didn't think David Tennant ("Doctor Who") was great in the role of Vincent, his 'Fright Night' Vegas show and the back story he shared with the vamps could have paved the way for a vamp flick with a really unique setting and a solid story. Imagine the fun they could have had riffing of his stage show and mixing it all in with Vegas as the playground were all the **** goes down etc.

Sadly this remake had plot beats taken from the original and it didn't really gel as a whole. For me anyway. Save for one very cool 'escape' sequence which occurs early in the film and a semi sad look at how friends change over time and grow apart.

The cast was okay in general. No one is truly awful while no one really jumps out either. Everyone to me did better in other films. I mean both in front and behind the camera there's true talent but somehow, as I said, it just doesn't gel. It's not a awful remake, but it'ss worth a watch if your a fan of the original.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 05:57 PM

http://img.filmous.com/static/photos/102/43_midi.jpg

Sky High doesn't have the most novel premise in the world, so it'll have to use its' storytelling to get by in the world of family films.

The characters manage to be original in more ways than one. Given that each character is pretty much defined by their powers, you can get creative with different personalities. And sure enough, these characters are as colorful as the superhero-style clothes they're wearing.

In terms of plot, however, the film sticks to pretty generic territory. Most of the film is the classic story of a kid who quickly rises to popularity and forgets his friends along the way. Good characters help this film chug along and be different. Not to mention the whopper of a plot twist they dish out at us towards the end that re-energizes the film.

While Sky High may not be the most original film I've seen, it gets an A for effort. Delightful characters and a daring twist make this a film well worth your time. Plus the costumes kick ass too. :)

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 06:00 PM

I'm going out to eat and then to see John Carter. I'll have my review here Sometime tonight.

nebbit

03-13-12, 07:34 PM

My family are :laugh: about all the John Carter Posters here as that is my Brothers name :yup:

nice reviews :yup:

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 08:18 PM

Thanks Nebbit ! :D

ElmoLovesYou

03-13-12, 08:37 PM

http://www.upcoming-movies.com/image/john-carter-movie-poster-3.jpg

When watching Disney’s new epic adventure John Carter, I can’t help but wanting to compare it to the sci-fi classic likes of Star Wars and Avatar. But given that the novels this film is based on served as inspiration for George Lucas and James Cameron, the comparisons are more than valid. Edgar Rice Burroughs had created a vivid intergalactic world with ‘John Carter’ long before Skywalker had his adventures, we’ve just had to wait longer for Carter to be done justice. Under the colorful direction of Andrew Stanton (Wall-E) 'John Carter' is every bit the epic it clearly intends to be. In 1880’s America Civil war vet Carter ('Friday Night Lights' Taylor Kitsch) unexpectedly finds himself transported to the planet Mars, or Barsoom as it is called here, where he is treated initially as some sort of spectacle, before held prisoner by the inhabitants of the planet, 12 foot tall barbarians ruled by Tars Tarkas (voiced by Willem Dafoe).

As to be expected there’s a war on the horizon and Carter gets trapped in the middle of it when he falls for princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins of ('True Blood' ) who’s fighting for the safety of her city which is set to be overruled by Sab Than (played by Dominic West of 'The Wire' ). Yes there are a lot of names thrown about here, and it’s quite an intricate storyline, one that may be a bit too complex for a younger audience this film seems to be marketed towards, but the film never skims over the details.

I skipped the 3D version which is also in theaters though. I am sure I wouldn't be missing much, since 3-D doesn't even work well when applied in most movies anyhow. But it’s a minor criticism for a surprisingly grown-up adventure film that will hopefully find a blossoming audience. All in all there really isn't much more to say except go see John Carter.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858

ElmoLovesYou

03-14-12, 12:59 AM

http://www.dvd-bluray-reviews.com/big_images/dvd/Shriek-if-You-Know-What-I-Did-Last-Friday-the-13th-%282000%29.jpg

I watched this on Netflix this evening and It is just simply awful. Every now and then I fast forwarded it just in case it got any better, but of course it never did. All the actors in this movie must have been hard on for cash. I can't think of any other reason why they'd even want to be involved in such a piece of crap. Tom Arnold is in this, and I love his hilarious performance as Arnold Schwarzenegger's sidekick in True Lies. Heck, I even enjoyed The Stupids when I know a lot of people did not. Even Big Bully was slightly amusing. And I'm betting Tiffani Amber Thiessen wished that she could go back to '90210' if this is the only kinda of role she could get. Everything about this movie is just god awfully horrendous. Without a doubt this is one of the worst movies I have EVER seen.

My grade: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg

TheUsualSuspect

03-14-12, 01:07 AM

I kinda liked Shriek. It's no Scary Movie, which isn't really high praise, but being a horror fan I got a chuckle or two.

ElmoLovesYou

03-14-12, 01:16 AM

I kinda liked Shriek. It's no Scary Movie, which isn't really high praise, but being a horror fan I got a chuckle or two.

That's basically all I got, a chuckle or two from maybe one or two things but nothing to even call it noteworthy. Scary Movie was ok, much funnier though. I'll get around to reviewing that eventually.

nebbit

03-14-12, 09:11 AM

All in all there really isn't much more to say except go see John Carter.
Ok :)

The Rodent

03-14-12, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the review on John Carter, I was wondering if it was just another Hollywood cash-in on a decent idea, like most Hollywood attempts at the Fantasy Epic recently (Titans movies, Star Wars prequels, etc).

Looks like it's actually worth a watch. :up:

BestFlix

03-14-12, 01:44 PM

I am gonna watch John Carter just because of the effects :p Probably a bit thin story but I could say the same about Avatar and still great movie because of the effects.

ElmoLovesYou

03-14-12, 05:12 PM

http://www.rocktheworldbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/the_social_network.jpg

This was a good movie with a captivating anti-hero at its core (with Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg), a strong supporting cast, an interesting story and the usual crackling dialogue from Aaron Sorkin ("The West Wing", The American President). What keeps the movie from greatness is its subject matter. It's all well and good to see how this kid started the biggest cultural phenomenon of our generation.

I realize the impact Facebook has made in the way in which people connect to one another, revolutionized it really. And I am one of those 500 million people to use it on a regular basis.

The movie is based on the novel The Accidental Billionaires, a book that clearly was not written with the help of the Facebook founder. Zuckerberg is painted as a genius computer hacker who's as savvy with computers as he is awkward socially. It charts the rise of Zuckerberg through flashbacks as told during his multiple lawsuit depositions - including testimony of The Winklevoss brothers, who claimed to come up with the original idea, and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield, the weakest of the actors in the film), Zuckerberg's classmate and the first CFO of the company, who apparently got screwed over as Facebook went public. In the first half of the movie, Zuckerberg is painted as little more than some sort of autistic savant - knowing the answers to his professor's questions without paying any attention, and barely speaking to anyone other than to discuss code.

This is where the movie excels, though - Eisenberg makes Zuckerberg fascinating. You don't exactly root for him, but you can't help but want to know what he'll do next. Eisenberg has finally climbed out of his pigeon hole as the poor man's Michael Cera here and delivers a performance that certainly earned him that oscar nomination last year.

To tell you the truth, I didn't think Zuckerberg came off that bad. So what that he stole someone else's idea? I didn't see any business plans or contracts signed. So what that he screwed over a few of his college buddies as the site went from college novelty to cultural phenomenon. And so what that he was a social troll - he's a mega-billionaire now and I'm sure that makes up for quite a lot.Then again, maybe Zuckerberg is as sensitive as the movie depicts.

Is The Social Network one of the best movies of our generation? I don't think so. But you'll no doubt be entertained though.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

BestFlix

03-14-12, 06:20 PM

I absolutely love The Social Network. From start to end I was starring at the screen. He does speak fast which of course was one the reason I couldn't look away but not for 1 min was I bored. I would definitely recommend that movie to anyone even if they are not Facebook users :D

ElmoLovesYou

03-14-12, 11:55 PM

http://www.hd-report.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/super_8_poster_03.jpeg

I purchased Super 8 earlier today because well, it's a damn good film. I watched it tonight and it was even better this time around. The whole thing has this retro 80's feel to it. Not just 'cause it's set in 1980s either. I guess it harks back to a time when kids films didn't talk down to the audience.

J.J. is fast turning into a guy I can count on to always deliver. Super 8 didn't let that trend down. The story I'm staying vague on just in case anyone hasn't seen this (ya right). But, like Cloverfield the less you know the more you'll enjoy it. One part I did love was the film within the film. If you've ever done something like that, you can relate and get the excitement of the kids regarding the importance of the finished project.

All the kid actors are great. Especially Elle Fanning (sister of actress Dakota Fanning) shined throughout. There are some future stars amongst each of them. Sheriff Lamb (Kyle Chandler's character) I thought was kind of shallow though. I feel he could have done a little better.

The effects are brilliant. Some jaw dropping stuff on display throughout and the pace of the film was a bit off at times. It starts with such a bang and then slows down a lot before building back up again. I understood why it did but it was something I didn't care for. Also there's a fair bit of misdirection regarding the 'threats' intentions in the third act which I thought was a cop out. Putting aside those little faults, the movie is a complete blast and a must own for movie fans.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866

The Rodent

03-15-12, 12:43 AM

Wasn't a fan of Super 8 myself. I felt it was too much of a throwback to Close Encounters and ET. There were a lot of Cloverfield elements in there too.
Just made it feel more like a big budget version of Paul.

Nice review though. :)

akatemple

03-15-12, 01:19 AM

I was thinking more like Stand By Me and ET, liked the movie but not that much. Thanks for the review.

BestFlix

03-15-12, 05:58 AM

Great work with these reviews. They are well written. I was thinking if you want some quarter Elmo's? Feel free to use these for your ratings :D

ElmoLovesYou

03-15-12, 03:48 PM

Great work with these reviews. They are well written. I was thinking if you want some quarter Elmo's? Feel free to use these for your ratings :D

Thanks :) I have edited my previous reviews with them, and will use them from now on. You are awesome! :D

BestFlix

03-15-12, 05:04 PM

Thanks :) I have edited my previous reviews with them, and will use them from now on. You are awesome! :D

Haha... Not at all. You are putting so much work into these reviews so I thought I would quickly edit Elmo for you.

ElmoLovesYou

03-16-12, 01:14 AM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ9g2Zt7yJk/Tw0u-aZeLuI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Gy5Dcu719T4/s1600/Chronicle%2BFilm.jpg

I was fortunate enough to catch this earlier today, being that it won't be in my local theater once 21 Jump Street gets released on Friday. Better late than never as they always say right?.

Hearing how everyone was raving about this, I entered with excitement. So how was it? Freaking amazing!! Now not many people are fans of the "shaky cam" genre. Movies that are filmed on a handheld camera to give that home movie look. Hopefully Chronicle can give viewers a little ease to the situation though.

The acting in the movie was great all around from the three main actors Michael B. Jordan (Red Tails, "Parenthood"), Alex Russell and Dane DeHaan ("True Blood", "In Treatment") who all felt like real people that you would know in real life. Dane DeHaan was epically good as Andrew.

Unlike most movies done in this style (Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield) this one actually feels real and believable even though the subject matter is three kids who gain super powers. The things they do with these powers are just very believable you can see a bunch of teens doing what they do with them.

Another great thing about it is that we have seen a bunch of super hero movies where we see the rise of the hero and how they came to be but this one takes the opposite approach showing the fall of someone and how they become a villain instead. Granted at the same time we also see the reluctant rise of someone else to become a hero.

Chronicle is by far one of the best movies of the year, which is really not saying much since its only March. But in a year where the biggest movies are once again super hero movies (The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises) we get off to a great start for the genre.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

akatemple

03-16-12, 01:28 AM

^ I am looking forward to seeing this movie, the trailer made it look good and your review just pushed it over the edge, can't wait.

ElmoLovesYou

03-16-12, 05:48 PM

http://tvafterdarkonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/21-Jump-Street.jpg

A film adaptation of the classic 80’s series ’21 Jump Street’ has long been in talks in Hollywood circles but an action comedy filled to the brim with foul language and bloody violence helmed by the directing duo of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and starring Jonah Hill (Superbad, Moneyball) and Channing Tatum (Step Up, The Vow) was probably the least likely outcome, yet here we are with that exact combo and surprisingly it works. It really works.

The story, completely tongue-in-cheek and self aware, focuses on Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (a comically brilliant Tatum), a pair of underachieving cops who didn’t get along at high school, but have formed a bond during their police training where their incompetence has lead them to be assigned an undercover gig seeking out who is supplying school kids with a deadly new drug. Given their "somewhat"youthful appearance, the two are enrolled in school to investigate and from the get-go their plans are immediately thwarted. Their identities are swapped and the caring, sensitive act that Schmidt excelled with in high school is in and the bad-boy jock routine that was Jenko’s livelihood is considered outcast like behavior. Taking on the premise of the 1987-1991 television series which starred Johnny Depp, 21 Jump Street has plenty to work with putting a new spin on it to make it alarmingly fresh. Ice Cube even makes a welcome addition as Captain Dickson, Schmidt and Jenko's new boss on the beat.

This was clearly something dear to the hearts of Hill and Tatum as both serve as executive producers (not to mention Hill’s credit as a co-writer), and it’s amazing that after all the years of trying to get this off the ground, it came down to these two unlikely actors to embrace the silliness of the show and make a full-fledged action-comedy that is by far one of the most successful ventures of the last few years.

One thing I must add though, keep an eye out for familiar faces :)

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858

ElmoLovesYou

03-17-12, 03:38 AM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rdnMoESwDo/TWUMxW5yexI/AAAAAAAAAwc/IKC28XLnqsE/s1600/The+Blair+witch+project+film+poster.jpg

As any dedicated fan of the horror movie genre can verify, visceral scares may be much easier to achieve than cerebral scares, but they are rarely as effective. Although the moment in a film when a subtle, unsettling score reaches its peak just as an unexpected figure enters the frame is undeniably frightening, it produces a fear that is superficial and easily discarded. For a film to get under an audience’s skin and create a sense of unease that haunts them long after the final credits have rolled, it must manipulate the imagination, often by preying upon the primal anxiety of that which is unseen. Few films achieve this level of terror as powerfully as The Blair Witch Project.

When it was released in 1999, The Blair Witch Project was greeted with an overwhelmingly positive critical response that was incredibly rare for a horror movie. Much like The Exorcist, a large amount of its popularity was due to the film’s impeccable timing. Scholars have often regarded the great works of the horror genre in literature and film as artistic representations of the subconscious fears of a society. People often use the arts as a means to purge their undefined anxieties. If one is to accept this theory, then The Blair Witch Project captured the feel of its time in a way that is only becoming clear now, years after its release. The cultural landscape at the time was permeated by an unspoken sense of unease. In a matter of months, the world would usher in a new millennium, and a large portion of the population harbored a dread that the end times were near. Irrational as that may sound, in retrospect, such media frenzies as the “Y2K Scare” can be interpreted as masks for a much more deep-rooted, societal fear. This environment directly aided in the success of The Blair Witch Project. The characters of Heather, Josh and Mike held a mirror to their viewers. Just as the moviegoers of that summer felt as though some mysterious force was threatening them, these three characters never saw anything that that would directly prove to them that they were being stalked. Still, they certainly had reasons to fear they were.

It is assuredly a terrifying work of cinematic achievement. The premise is simple: three student filmmakers ventured into the woods surrounding Burkitsville, Maryland to gather several shots for a short documentary on a local legend, “The Blair Witch”. After a day of hiking, they find that they are lost. At night, unexplained noises surround their campsite. Despite walking in the same direction all day, the characters realize that they have somehow ended up in the same area as they once were. Someone is leaving strange figures outside of their tent. And slowly, the sanity of the filmmakers deteriorates. What results is a film whose power to scare is almost frighteningly relentless.

In order to maintain a sense of realism, the film is shot entirely using handheld 16mm and video cameras. The vast majority of the dialogue is improvised, and the performances of all the actors are entirely believable. Every moment of this film generates an effortless suspension of disbelief in the audience members. Many left the theater believing that they had just seen a real documentary.

What is most unnerving in this movie is that which is not seen. While most modern horror movies rely on excessive amounts of gore, imagery and CGI, The Blair Witch Project is a film that establishes an atmosphere, then exploits this atmosphere to constantly keep the tension high. There is no conventional three-act structure here. There is no named villain. Everyone who watches this film leaves with different theories regarding what it was that was menacing those three students. What were those noises? Who made those bizarre stick figures? What happened in that house (besides the scariest ending ever committed to film)? The film doesn’t answer these questions, it simply provides them, and that is the best choice the filmmakers could have made.

In essence, The Blair Witch Project is an exceptional campfire story. It is the kind of film that you show to your friends in October, as you delight in the fact that you are robbing them of their sleep that night. Most importantly, it’s actually really scary.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858

nebbit

03-17-12, 10:11 AM

Love your Elmo scoring http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz25/mjpexcommunity/Smileys%20and%20Emoticons/5yjbztv.gif

ElmoLovesYou

03-17-12, 02:52 PM

Love your Elmo scoring http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz25/mjpexcommunity/Smileys%20and%20Emoticons/5yjbztv.gif

Elmo says thank you :D

ElmoLovesYou

03-17-12, 04:50 PM

http://static.thedeadbolt.com/images/2011/10/my_week_marilyn_michelle_williams_1.jpg

I watched My Week With Marilyn on X-Box marketplace earlier, and let me just say it surprised me. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.

What makes it work is an absolutely amazing portrayal of legendary film icon, Marilyn Monroe by Michelle Williams. She is enchanting and heartbreaking as she portrays Marilyn as a woman who is a true star on the outside, but an emotionally damaged and frightened girl on the inside. Her Marilyn wants to be a good actress but, at the same time just wants to have some emotional stability in her life. She is surrounded by people who use her and tell her what to do for their own personal gain, all too happy to hand her pills if it will get the actress to do what they want.

The film is based on Colin Clark's memoir of his time as an assistant for Sir Laurence Olivier (played as a self absorbed Kenneth Branagh) on the film The Prince And The Showgirl. Clark claims to have had a relationship with Monroe during the filming and while the validity has been questioned, this is nonetheless based on his claims. The story follows Clark (Eddie Redmayne) who becomes a director's assistant to Olivier and his boyish innocence attracts the attention of Marilyn Monroe who is having marriage problems and is butting heads with Sir Laurence. She finds solace in his company and thus begins a brief relationship between the two. Whether the story is true or not, this is an entertaining tale about an emotionally troubled film star looking for an oasis of peace with a younger man who makes her feel like a regular girl. And while the film only traces the events during the filming of "Showgirl", you can see the tragic outcome of Marilyn Monroe's life was sadly, no surprise. Whether it's a delusional fantasy or not, it is a very entertaining movie with an incredible performance from it's lead actress.

One thing I found remarkable about Williams during the filming was that she stayed in character, even while off camera. It just goes to show how dedicated one can be to become so extraordinary.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

mark f

03-17-12, 04:58 PM

I would recommend The Prince and the Showgirl as a companion piece or a stand-alone film. It's a pretty good comedy and plays on Turner Classic Movies two or three times a year.

The Rodent

03-17-12, 05:01 PM

Liking your Blair Witch review. Awesome film, often copied never bettered.

mark f

03-17-12, 05:23 PM

I don't ever expect fans to change their minds, espeially since it freaked them out, but I find The Blair Witch Project to be one of the worst "films" ever made. I just watched Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) last night, and I'd say it's on the same level. :)

akatemple

03-17-12, 05:59 PM

I went and saw The Blair Witch Project when it first came out and have never found it even remotely scary, but nice review.

ElmoLovesYou

03-17-12, 09:00 PM

I went and saw The Blair Witch Project when it first came out and have never found it even remotely scary, but nice review.

So did I. The psychological aspect to it is what makes it scary. The more it gets to you, the more your sucked in. And I've seen this a lot....gets me each time. Even though I know it's not even a real story. That's what makes it so well played.

Liking your Blair Witch review. Awesome film, often copied never bettered.

Thank you. :)

I would recommend The Prince and the Showgirl as a companion piece or a stand-alone film. It's a pretty good comedy and plays on Turner Classic Movies two or three times a year.

I never seen it Mark, but I'll definitely keep a look out!

ElmoLovesYou

03-18-12, 11:39 PM

http://www.boomtron.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Lincoln_Lawyer.jpg

So, it appears that when Matthew McConaughey focuses on keeping his shirt on, he’s capable of making quite a decent film. In The Lincoln Lawyer, based on the best-selling novel by Michael Donnelly, the charming Texan plays Mick Haller, a smooth-talking criminal lawyer who conducts the majority of his business in the backseat of his Lincoln town-car. His latest client is Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillipe), a wealthy playboy dealing in real estate, who has been accused of assaulting a local prostitute. To Haller this case should be simple - hearing all the details it’s quite possible he’s defending an innocent man - but the more he investigates it becomes evident that Louis is not all he appears to be. To delve further into the plot would be giving too much away, and The Lincoln Lawyer is one film you want to see without having too much prior knowledge. The real pleasure comes from watching this slick thriller unravel.

It has been 16 years since McConaughey first showed his strength in a dramatic role with A Time To Kill, and it’s great to see him back in the genre after sleepwalking his way through a plethora of romantic comedies. He really is the key to this film’s success, but he is well supported by Phillipe (relishing his role) and a substantial cast that includes William H. Macy, Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas, and John Leguizamo. Aided by a funky 70’s-inspired soundtrack, The Lincoln Lawyer is a real surprise and a film that shouldn’t be missed.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

TheUsualSuspect

03-19-12, 02:24 AM

I liked Lincoln Lawyer, it turned out to be better than I anticipated. Then again, I tend to like a lot of courtroom dramas. Or in this case, Lincolnroom dramas.

ElmoLovesYou

03-19-12, 08:33 PM

http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Mission-Impossible-Ghost-Protocol.jpg

In the years since Mission: Impossible 3 was released, Tom Cruise has seen his public profile take a beating with his bizarre rants on scientology, his marriage to Katie Holmes, and the less-than-stellar response to his major film outings. It seemed as if the once untouchable box office king was being brought back down to earth at a rapid pace. So what’s the best way to reclaim your throne? Return to the franchise that put you there - enter Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Kicking off with the gloriously staged jailbreak of lead IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise), whose reasoning for being in a Russian prison is explained, and rarely letting up for its quite lengthy running time (130 mins), ‘Ghost Protocol’ is like a new wave James Bond flick on steroids with abounding implausibilities as every gadget and stunt introduced is outdone by the next. But the M:I series has never been one to take seriously has it?

Story-wise the film has a rather simplistic one at the core as a terrorist bombs the Kremlin as a distraction to steal the launch codes for a nuclear missile and framing Hunt in the process which sees the President initiate ghost protocol, essentially disavowing the IMF agents and any action they take will be without government support. Naturally Hunt intends to clear his name, and that of his crew, and a series of neat plot twists and outlandish stunts ensue. One such stunt being that of Hunt scaling the walls of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is spectacularly staged and a great, if not slightly egotistical, showcase of Cruise’s skills as an action hero.

Speaking of Cruise, the man still knows how to make an action film great and at 50 this year is still in enviably good shape and seems more at ease than ever in the role of Hunt. Giving him a slightly more ‘human’ feeling, the mistakes that fall on the agent during some of the films main action set pieces allow more of a connection to the sequences, and sure we mere mortals would never attempt anything seen here, but it does help when things don’t always go smoothly for our hero.

Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Paul) as the film’s gadget man gets a neat upgrade from the third film to major support player, and as expected gets most of the films laughs which thankfully don’t come across as too forced. Jeremy Renner (The Town, the upcoming Bourne Legacy), once the rumored new lead for the series had Cruise opted to not return, starts off a little stiff as analyst William Brandt, but a revelation halfway through the film allows a much welcomed relaxation to his character, and lone female Paula Patton (2006's Deja Vu), as Jane, proves the strongest series femme yet as she equally handles the fight scenes and those where her sexuality is on full display with ease.

With a film of this size and caliber, it’s hard to believe that there was a relative gamble played on hiring director Brad Bird who makes his live-action feature debut here. Having perfected his craft with Oscar-winning gems Ratatouille and The Incredibles, Bird, whilst not the most obvious choice, was never a doubtful one for Cruise and producer J.J. Abrams (who helmed the third film). Clearly a gamble that paid off, and as The Incredibles is already considered one of the finest action films ever made, it seems like a natural fit to take on this ‘impossible’ venture.

The one criticism to be had with ‘Ghost Protocol’ though is the lack of a threatening villain. Michael Nyqvist (Abduction, "Zero Hour") has the right look and he in no way delivers a bad performance. But the few scenes he and Cruise share together leave little tension and he’s nowhere near as menacing as you want him to be. Phillip Seymour Hoffman provided the ‘Joker’ to Cruise’s ‘Batman’ in M:I:3, and it was one of that film’s strongest assets, but here Nyqvist fails to stand out so much so that there is more of a dangerous presence felt in the character of Sabine Moreau (Lea Seydoux of Robin Hood and Inglorious Basterds), a cold assassin with a penchant for diamonds and her soulless stare and brutal actions made me wish she was the antagonist to Cruise.

Of course there will be those who scoff at the sheer thought of seeing another Tom Cruise film or that the gadgets are too technologically improbable, and if you are one of those people then this film isn’t for you. But if you embraced its predecessors, accept this mission sooner rather than later.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

ElmoLovesYou

03-20-12, 09:22 PM

http://www.upcoming-movies.com/image/the-woman-in-black-movie-poster-4.jpg

The Woman In Black is officially Daniel Radcliffe's first movie after the end of the 'Harry Potter" franchise. It's essentially a horror flick which is considerably darker than the Potter films.

The year the film is set is not given, but judging from the look of it, it's probably early 20th century. Radcliffe plays a lawyer who is behind on his finance's and is warned by his boss on improving his work quality. He is sent to a remote village where the folks act strange and unfriendly to him, except for Sam Daily, the only man with a car in the village. His task is to visit the abandoned home of a deceased couple, on an island in the marsh, to examine any documents they may have left behind regarding their estate. Once there however, strange things start happening, the mysterious woman in black shows herself, and kids start dying. The question is why?

I'll give props to the production designer and cinematographer for their fine work on the film's look. The entire place has an eerie feel to it, and even when it's broad daylight, it feels cold and dead at the same time. The camerawork is also great, from the long range shots of the house from the air, to the dark corners of the house's interiors. It makes the audience feel scared enough to not want to be in Radcliffe's shoes.

However, director James Watkins (Eden Lake) doesn't quite bring anything new to the table. The strange encounters with the evil spirit brings to mind many other familiar horror films such as The Ring and Insidious. It's so similar, from the execution to the concept of the film. Watkins also uses plenty of cheap shocks to scare the audience, some which work well, but most of them are rather repetitive. Even the ending of the film is much too predictable.

Radcliffe though does a decent job in his first lead role away from the boy wizard. It's obvious here that he has grown up, but he still seems too young to be a father to a four year old boy. An actor five years older than him would have been more appropriate for the role. Ciaran Hinds (John Carter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) lends some good support as Sam Daily, but the film is mostly Radcliffe's show.

To be fair, The Woman In Black is a decent horror flick, which you may like if you fancy jump scares. If you want something more, you can try the other films I mentioned in my review.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

honeykid

03-20-12, 10:25 PM

It's obvious here that he has grown up, but he still seems too young to be a father to a four year old boy. An actor five years older than him would have been more appropriate for the role.
Of the few reviews I've read about this, this does seem to be the overriding opinion.

Good review, BTW.

ElmoLovesYou

03-22-12, 12:40 AM

http://cinemalebnen.org/Content/cinema-media/pictures/WarHorseMoviePoster-608x401.jpg

Initially, I wasn’t overly thrilled with the premise. I didn’t think focusing on a horse and seeing it struggle through World War 1 would be able to sustain me, and sure it’s a wildly acclaimed novel and stage production, but that doesn’t always translate well into a movie. How happy I was to be proven wrong.

The opening seconds of the film introduce us to the hero as he is born under the watchful eye of Albert (newcomer Jeremy Irvine in a stellar debut). His father (Peter Mullan), a drunk, hopes to best his landlord (David Thewlis) by spending all his savings on the horse, who Albert names Joey, with the intention of raising the horse to graze his crop field. Albert’s mother (Emily Watson) is initially mortified, believing they’ll lose their home if Joey doesn’t come through, but witnessing Albert’s determination to whip Joey into shape, she stands by her husband’s decision which ultimately pays off in a glorious tailor-made-to-uplift-the-audience scene where Albert and Joey overcome their respective nerves and weakness with hearty determination.

The early scenes focus on Albert’s rearing of Joey, and it’d be a safe assumption to make that, by this point, you’re completely enamored with this glorious animal. So beautiful and carefully trained, he takes on his own life force and it’s to be commended that there was no CGI-trickery to convey any of Joey’s emotions. A simple look communicates a thousand words, and when you see the interaction between Joey and Albert, you completely understand the love he has for this horse.

With the outbreak of WW1 spreading, Joey is sold off to Cavalry officer Captain Nichols (a dashing Tom Hiddleston) to assist on the battle grounds, but seeing the devotion Albert has, he makes a promise that he’ll do his best to return Joey to his rightful owner. It would’ve been easy for the film to give in to the typical conventions one might expect as Nichols initially comes off as a would-be villain, but he soon grows as fond of Joey as Albert has.

The shot of the soldiers writing atop their steeds to take on the German artillery to the stirring aftermath of the horses, now riderless, jumping over machine gun nests is a cold reminder of a bleak time in history when death was dished out on an unimaginable scale. From here the film chronicles Joey’s escape from the battlefield to a select group who homed, cared, and loved the horse as if he were their own.

Two young brothers run out on their war responsibilities riding Joey off into the hopeful distance, a farmer (Niels Arestrup) and his sickly granddaughter find him in their barn where she proceeds to teach him tricks, and finally a German soldier (Nicholas Bro) who witnesses Joey’s undying spirit firsthand in a gut-wrenching sequence that involves an attempt to free the horse from a trap of barbed wire.

We are eventually re-united with Albert, who is now a soldier himself, and the final scene of the film where Albert and Joey get their own reunion, as contrived as it may be, is such a wonderous moment that it was understandable when the audience emerged from the screening with watery eyes.

It’s very easy to attack a spectacle like this as it seems almost out of fashion nowadays to see a film where emotion and humanity are the chief assets, and indeed I remember thinking when I saw the trailer it would be too sugary sweet for its own good, but I was happy to be put in my place. As I said, the film is extremely old-fashioned, the gorgeous golden hues and greens in the cinematography are reminiscent of the epics of the 30’s and 40’s, and it really is such a treat to see Spielberg produce something of this grand nature.

While you could accuse it of being manipulative, War Horse ultimately resonates with its message that even in the harshest of situations, humanity can always be found.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

Nausicaä

03-22-12, 08:50 AM

but he still seems too young to be a father to a four year old boy. An actor five years older than him would have been more appropriate for the role.

Do you mean the actor 'looks' too young and should have got someone five years older to play the same age, or they made the character too young? because in those days, his age was entirely realistic in that he could be married, have a child and so on.

Nice review.

ElmoLovesYou

03-22-12, 04:05 PM

Do you mean the actor 'looks' too young and should have got someone five years older to play the same age, or they made the character too young? because in those days, his age was entirely realistic in that he could be married, have a child and so on.

Nice review.

Daniel Radcliffe himself just seems too young to be a father in the movie. I don't know, I'm probably being too picky.

ElmoLovesYou

03-23-12, 02:06 AM

http://hangoverheadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/the_town_poster_i2.jpeg

Watching The Town makes me think of something I said to a friend of mine a few years back. Before Gone Baby Gone came out I watched an Affleck movie that wasn't too great. (I believe it was Sum of all Fears or something.) I remember grimacing to my friend after the flick which made us have a discussion about why Ben's movies seem to be....not good. Amongst the discussion I remember spouting off this sentence; "Look, Ben Affleck won the Oscar for Screenwriting right? So why doesn't he just stay behind the scenes? Maybe that's where he really shines."

A few years later and I can't believe how right I was. After an Ultra-impressive directing debut with Gone Baby Gone, Benny boy does it once again with a another crime drama as intense, powerful, and awesome as they come. Most people are saying that this flick is this generations Heat but I can honestly say without flinching that this film surpasses that one in every way. I know some of you will come after me because of that statement but I can't help it. I was completely engrossed in this film from start to finish. Everything from setting, plot, performances, violence, realism and so on was on the money here it wasn't even funny.

Affleck definitely has an eye for directing. I know most will say its the cast, dialogue, and such, yet for me, its the gritty realism. I've seen a lot of films that are very grounded, but this film is one of most grounded I've seen in a while. You wont see too many implausible things in an Affleck directed film, which really says something about the actor/director's vision for capturing something that really sticks with you. From the sounds the guns made, the accents the locals had who were from this town, the extras walking around, the streets of concrete and mortar, it all comes together seamlessly to make this setting all the more perfect for a crime drama, and I believe that in another directors hands we wouldn't have gotten such a complete package of authenticity.

As far as the performances go; they're all pretty solid here. Affleck takes the helm this time instead of his brother as career criminal Doug MacRay. I must admit that Affleck is incredibly believable as a bank robber with a conscience, yet still delivers the toughness that goes along with having that kind of staple. He was excellent here, just like he should be in all his flicks.

Rebecca Hall (The Awakening) also was pretty golden as bank manager, Claire Keesey. She provided the film with a vulnerability, class, and compassion that was welcomed amongst all these tough guys in the room. She was also pretty damn cute too, in the most natural way possible, which made it all the more effective and believable that Ben would fall, let alone, risk everything for her.

Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") takes off the suit to play tenacious FBI Agent Frowley. He brings a quiet calm to the proceedings that really just shows he's a guy whose seen it all and knows the score very well. I liked him, and wanted him to catch up to our bad guys with everything he had. Another Solid showing indeed.

One performance everyone has been talking about is Jeremy Renner as psychotic best-friend James "Jem" Coughlin. And while I may not be on the bandwagon here completely, it doesn't mean i'm not throwing a thumbs up as it rides by. Renner is also pretty perfect here. He's very intimidating and scary, not because of his size and demeanor, but for one small fact...You don't really know what he's capable of, yet you feel whatever it is, he won't hesitate doing. And he conveys this with a sadistic smile or a look that says it all. I remember first seeing Renner on an episode of "Angel" a very long time ago, and thinking he played a psycho exceptionally well, and here is no different. He's perfected this skill over the years which is probably another reason why he was sensational in The Hurt Locker too. I for one, can't wait to see him pick up the purple bow & arrow and don the mantle of Hawkeye once The Avengers is released. I know he'll bring that same intensity to that role as well.

Blake Lively ("Gossip Girl", Green Lantern) plays Krista, a compulsive addict who was MacRay's ex-girlfriend and Jem's sister. I think she did a very fantastic job here playing against her type. I couldn't believe her transformation and she made it work emphatically. I'm sure most people who doubt her talent should pay more attention, at least a little because to me she proved her range very well.

The Supporting Cast here was pretty top-notch. Chris Cooper (Company Men, American Beauty) makes a memorable showing as MacRay's incarcerated father. Cool role, though I wish there would've been more scenes with him. Pete Postlethwaite (Clash of the Titans, Solomon Kane) was also on the money as Handler Fergie. Not enough scenes with him either but what was there worked well with the progression of the story. Slaine and Owen Burke were also pretty good as Gloansy and Dez, Affleck's other two crew members and life-long friends. And Titus Welliver ("Prison Break", "Lost", "Grimm") rounds out the cast as Agent Ciampa, Frowley's gruff partner.

As far as the action goes this film has plenty of it, with some all too real car chases that rival the Bourne Franchise and shoot-outs that would make many of us action hounds very proud to witness. It was rough, riveting, and hitting on all cylinders once it really hits the fan.

All-in-all, This movie has it all. The Violence, performances, realism, story, and even has a pretty interesting soundtrack too. Gotta mention that as well since it really added emphasis to a lot of choice scenes. I believe Ben Affleck is two for two now. Let's just hope he goes for a third with his upcoming September release Argo.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

mastermetal777

03-23-12, 03:18 AM

Nice review, though I don't really care much about the film. It's not a bad film by any means; I've just never been much about heist films. This one put a nice touch on the genre, and it was refreshing, to say the least. Other than that, not my thing.

WSSlover

03-23-12, 11:07 AM

BestFlix

03-23-12, 11:46 AM

I can understand why people consider Ben Afflect a bit overrated but don't really wanna get into that. I really don't have an opinion on that but what I can say is that I believe Renner is awesome. I first noticed him in Swat and he has only improved. Looking forward to the new Bourne.

The story could have been better but it wasn't bad.

Great review Elmo!

ElmoLovesYou

03-23-12, 09:27 PM

I'm going to see Hunger Games tonight, so I shall have my review up sometime late this evening or early tomorrow morning.

Deadite

03-23-12, 10:38 PM

Apparently, WSS doesn't like The Town.

mark f

03-23-12, 11:30 PM

Yes, and it's viral.

ElmoLovesYou

03-24-12, 01:05 AM

Apparently, WSS doesn't like The Town.

Oh well lol

ElmoLovesYou

03-24-12, 01:18 AM

http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/news/pic/2012_the_hunger_games_news.jpg

First and foremost I haven't read the books, so my experience on the source material is nonexistent, but I can say that as a standalone film this was a solid achievement.

The entire premise is intriguing enough in the sense that we've already seen gladiator games in our species' history and by the way reality TV is transforming we may even see something like them again. This is a premise that's been used before in fictional media from books to TV shows to movies. Only time can really tell at this point but I'm a firm believer in the idea that our culture and society is a violent one that would endorse this premise in a heartbeat, if they thought that they could make enough money off of the premise.

Among the positives of the film are the casting, the script and the pacing. I felt like each character was introduced with enough time to give us room to accept them and watch them grow. The story is strong enough that it can exist with only the weakest of direction but luckily for us that wasn't the case. The cast was superb really and they were the stars of the show in my opinion. Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones, Captain America: The First Avenger) completely ate up his scenes and was a joy to watch, as was Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, The Messenger) who again delivers a memorably awesome performance. Elizabeth Banks (Man on a Ledge, Role Models) disappeared into her makeup and hammed it up for a few laughs but it was really Harrelson and Tucci that stole the spotlight of the supporting characters. The teenage cast was the weak link, with Liam Hemsworth (Triangle, Knowing) and Josh Hutcherson (Zathura, upcoming Red Dawn remake) doing their best but struggling through their lack of acting chops. The filler characters were exactly that, filler, and were the weakest part of the movie.

But Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, X-Men: First Class). Jennifer. Freaking. Lawrence. This young woman is an acting phenom who tore through this movie like a tornado of awesome. I completely bought into her character's journey and felt every emotion that she did in every sense of her actions. She made this role her own and could've approached it in the sense that this was a paycheck, a foolproof way of making some money as a popular book adaptation but she didn't. She strived to make it great.. and I really saw that in her performance. I honestly can't say enough good things about her in this movie.

Unfortunately though, there were some noticeable weak links in the movie. The special effects bordered on solid to pretty bad at times, but for the most part were decent. They seemed to be lacking for a tentpole movie this size. The movie also seemed to drag during the middle of the battle, and ironically it was the training sessions and character introductions that were the most intriguing part for me. I wanted to know more about that world.. I wanted to explore that society and see what was lurking in each district.

Overall it was an entertaining movie and a lot more mature than I expected it to be. Of course it suffered from some eye rolling "romantic" moments as well as some cheesy lines but the direction and writing were really strong for the most part. It caught me by surprise and I think I'll be reading the books before the sequel comes out.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

ElmoLovesYou

03-25-12, 05:04 PM

http://www.onlinetvcast.com/upload/movies/movie_422_thumbForVideoPanel.jpg

The Sitter is what I expected it to be, nothing more and nothing less. It has more heart than your basic raunchy comedy and Jonah Hill does what he does best, which thankfully makes this a mostly consistantly funny and wild ride. The pace is more than fast enough, and the film is done before you know it. At times it seemed rushed and not focused enough when it should be. The kids in this were surprisingly witty and held their own alongside Jonah, and just when you hate them you grow to love them and respect them. The soundtrack was great as well and gave the film high energy for the larger than life stars, and flows perfectly with the setup of the film.

Overall, yes it has a recycled plot that they really didn't do anything that new with to make this that memorable for years to come, but I enjoyed it and it made me laugh out loud plenty of times. Jonah Hill never fails at entertaining. I recommend it to anyone who is up for laughs because The Sitter gets the job done.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

ElmoLovesYou

03-25-12, 08:51 PM

http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/the-adventure-of-tin-tin-movie.jpg

A long time in development, The Adventures of Tintin finally showcases everyone’s favorite ginger reporter in all his glory. Successfully blending three of the original comic books, ‘The Crab with the Golden Claws’, ‘The Secret of the Unicorn,’ and ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure,’ this wonderous adventure follows Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell of Jumper, Billy Elliot) and his four-legged companion Snowy as they try to uncover the whereabouts of lost treasure.

Three maps are contained within three model replicas of a ship known as The Unicorn, and Tintin unknowingly has his hands on one of them. But he soon learns how prized this possession is when the shady Ivanovich Sakharine (Daniel Craig) arranges Tintin’s kidnapping. The combination of Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg behind this production has clearly brought out the best in this classic series, as it has all the live-action spectacle of some of their greatest films. Mixed in is the stellar motion capture animation pioneered by Robert Zemeckis, who displayed the form in The Polar Express. Smartly written and beautifully rendered (the hand-drawn opening credits are an absolute delight), this adventure was by far hands down worth waiting to see. Now when can we have the sequel?

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

ElmoLovesYou

03-28-12, 03:57 PM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0REq_eGpZ-8/TbKeVe2wBrI/AAAAAAAAA7w/e4cmju2h6N4/s1600/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring_6426d3da.jpg

The Fellowship of The Ring works on two levels for a trilogy, it’s a great start to a roundabout 9 hour epic but it’s also great in its own rights and that’s rare to find. The film takes things slow to start with, having a 7 minute prologue to explain the history of the ring then the first half hour introduces Frodo, Gandalf, Sam and the Shire, however none of it feels slow, the whole film is nearly three hours and fell like only two as you’re swept up in this world.

Fellowship takes its first hour and a half introducing the main characters and the mission that must be taking, it’s halfway through the film before the fellowship even appears together. From there on out it just gets better with intense action and great battles, the final battle between the fellowship and the Uruk-Hai is brilliant as it shows the breaking of the fellowship and the odds this small band of brothers has to fight against and everything in the Mines Of Moria is simply amazing, from the cave troll battle and the escape on the staircase to the demon-flamed Balrog and Gandalf’s last stand, the whole time spent there features some of the best scenes in the entire trilogy and some of the best action scenes in any movie hands down.

The characters are all great as well and played fantastically. Elijah Wood’s boyish looks brings an innocence to Frodo which makes his growing maturity all the more obvious, Sean Astin is brilliant as the loyal Sam, never once leaving Frodo’s side, even in the darkest of times. Viggo Mortenson brings mystery to Strider and nobility to Aragorn, both of which compliment a strange and amazing character and Ian Mckellen gives Gandalf both a light-hearted friendship with Bilbo and Frodo but he can take the authority stand when it is needed, he’s a grandfather and a leader. Even Sean Bean as Boromir has great characterization in his short time on screen, he’s noble but perhaps too much and becomes weak to the ring, however, he manages to redeem himself by protecting the Halflings.

Two things that really stood out were the score and the cinematography, both were excellent, the score brought peace and contentment in the Shire scenes, dread and evil during Saruman’s building of his army and sheer epic scope when the fellowship was on the move. As for the cinematography, every location was unique and gave the impression of a huge epic world, from the green fields of Hobbiton, to the fiery pits of Isengard, no two places looked the same.

Overall, Fellowship of The Ring is an utterly brilliant movie both on its own and as the start of the trilogy, with great acting, fantastic scenes of action and an epic scope and score to back it up, this is the start of something special.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

The Rodent

03-28-12, 04:01 PM

Liking the reviews Elmo, agree with you on Lord Of The Rings, fantastic film. Nothing like the book but still fantastic.
Thinking about it, I may ping LOTR up for my 100th Review Special.

ElmoLovesYou

03-28-12, 04:02 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7LGLfCJMbg/TbKeTzen5_I/AAAAAAAAA7s/zyZWAzTCq4s/s1600/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers-poster-3.jpg

Two Towers is easily the weakest of the trilogy but by no means does that make it bad. It suffers from what a lot of middle films do in that there’s no real beginning and no real end so unlike Fellowship the film can’t really stand on its own ground.

With the Fellowship broken we now have several storylines and this leads to a problem in focus, the whole Trilogy is supposed to follow Frodo’s quest to destroy the Ring but in truth this film seems to focus more on Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli and their Battle For Rohan, that’s not necessarily a bad thing but since the actual Battle doesn’t take place until the last hour the rest of the film tends to drag a bit, Two Towers is around the same length of Fellowship (gave or take a minute or two) but it feels much longer. However Two Towers does introduce us to some of the Trilogy’s best character and features a lot of its best moments.

First and foremost we have the true introduction of Gollum, previously only glimpse in Fellowship. Andy Serkis puts in a great performance here showing both the madness of Gollum in his voice and the weakness in his actions and mannerisms. It’s a shame that Motion Capture roles aren’t as respected as they should be because Serkis puts in one of the best performances of all three films into the role, the scene where Gollum argues with himself is brilliantly acted and brilliantly edited, easily one of the Trilogy’s best moments. We’re also introduced to Théoden, King Of Rohan; he starts of old and weak from Saruman’s possession and the poison tongue of his advisor Grima – played brilliantly weasel-like by Brad Dourif – but once he’s free he transforms into a leader and a fighter. However he’s more the latter and this leads to problems when the battle arises, he underestimates the enemy and it costs him dearly. And finally we get the first look at Eowyn, she has little to do in this film but we get a short look at who she will become in the next film.

In terms of the original Fellowship things are changing, Frodo is getting weaker and weaker from the ring and it’s harming his relationship with Sam. Gandalf has returned and is more powerful than before, then he leaves again, then returns once more, much like the focus of the film we don’t see much of Gandalf. The main trio of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli fare much better, their friendships are building and their becoming a stronger fighting force because of it.

Like I said earlier the film does drag a bit to start with but in the last hour things pick up, the Battle For Helm’s Deep is a truly brilliant one, the odds are hopeless and get worse every minute but still the free people battle the Uruk-Hai. Hope is restored in an utterly spell-binding piece when Gandalf returns with The Charge Of Helm’s Deep. We also see The Last March Of The Ents, a set piece that has one of the Trilogy’s best scores and best visual moments as Isengard is destroyed.

As with Fellowship the score and the cinematography are kept at high levels, there’s a lot of familiar tunes within the score but they are welcome along with the new. The epic world that we see in Fellowship increases with the hillside Rohan, the mountain-cut Helm’s Deep, a dank and grimy fortress and the ruins of Osgiliath. All these new locations keep with the differing looks that Fellowship first provided giving the sense that this world is bigger than ever and the threat of Mordor is hurting more people.

Overall, a good film that suffers from lack of focus and being the middle child, definitely recommended but it’s not as good as the other two.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8685&stc=1&d=1331801874%20-%201/4

The Rodent

03-28-12, 04:07 PM

And again, totally agree. The battles are much more furious and it's a more exciting movie, definitely more expansive, but the 'middle child sydrome' as you put it, lets it down.

ElmoLovesYou

03-28-12, 04:10 PM

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djIuucN9UUM/TbKeWpumHrI/AAAAAAAAA70/ZlNcrYG3G6I/s1600/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-The-Return-of-the-King-movie-poster.jpg

Return of The King is my favorite out of the Trilogy because it’s the climax of this roundabout 9 hour epic, therefore everything big happens here and now, the pieces have been set and **** goes down. Essentially this film is a two hour battle with the other hour going to Frodo and Sam’s quest.

And what a battle, the fight for Minus Tirith needs to go down as one of the great battles of our age, the vast amount of orcs and trolls and vicious dog things against the large but not that large army of Gondor, the battlefield consisting of the huge, shining city and the large, desolate Pelennor fields, the flaming wolf ram, the Rohan charge, the oliphaunts, the army of the dead. I could go on and on about how amazingly epic this battle is, it goes from hopeless to hopeless before finally the tide is turned at the last minute.

As for Frodo and Sam, with Gollum’s vicious words in his ear and the weight of the Ring on his neck Frodo pushes Sam away, their friendship breaks in its weakest moment. But Samwise stays ever loyal and they pull through to become better friends than ever.

Everyone’s arc reaches its apex here, Sam’s loyalty is stronger than before, Frodo’s weakness to the Ring, Gollum’s madness, even Gandalf shows us what a true fighter he is in a few parts as well as a great leader when Gondor’s ruler falls into insanity. The main arc finished here is Aragorn, the juxtaposition of being the shadowy man in the corner of The Prancing Pony to front and centre King Of Gondor is a great one to witness, his noble nature shines through and he comes out victorious at the end.

There are so many fantastic moments in this conclusion it’ll be impossible to name them all, Pippen’s song played against the suicidal charge of Faramir, the aforementioned Rohan charge of the Pelennor fields, Eowyn showing us all what a badass she is when she kills The Witch King and his Nazgul, Sam fighting Shelob and the final charge at The Black Gate are all but a few epic moments that set the film and this Trilogy head and shoulders above anything else.

The film also gives rise to three of the Trilogy’s greatest villains, the mad Denethor, the terrifying Witch King and the sneaking Shelob, her surprise attack on Frodo is another of the film’s highlights. It’s a shame Saruman doesn’t appear in this film because he’s proven himself to be one of the Trilogy’s main antagonists and he just seems to drop off. (Although he does appear in the extended edition which is major plus).

As ever the scope, score and cinematography are top notch, from the rousing battle music for Rohan’s warriors making them all the more powerful to the dark noise of Mordor giving it the true evil it holds. Visually as well it’s stunning, Minus Tirith does seem like a kingly city, Mordor’s fire and brimstone shows it be a hellish place and the resting place of the Dead Army has a true ethereal sense to the place.

Now I know some people complain that the film has too many endings and yes it could’ve been trimmed, but I’ve just spent hours with these people, and it's nice to find out what happens to them. The ending leads to one of my favorite shots in all three films, once the hobbits have returned home they sit in the bar, just the four of them, no songs are sung, no people listing to their tales. Life goes on as normal for Hobbiton.

Overall, a grand conclusion to a grand Trilogy with everything coming to a head and the Battle for Middle-Earth reaching its most violent and dangerous point. Highly recommended!

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

The Rodent

03-28-12, 04:16 PM

Nice round up on the trilogy, Elmo.

Nice review construction too.

Devils Angel

03-28-12, 04:19 PM

Deadite

03-28-12, 05:07 PM

Love the Rings trilogy!

ElmoLovesYou

03-28-12, 08:39 PM

Love the Rings trilogy!
Me too!!! :D

ElmoLovesYou

03-31-12, 05:22 PM

http://ehdwallpapers.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/batman_3_the_dark_knight_rises-wide.jpg

The Dark Knight is not about Batman or Joker, it’s about Harvey Dent and his fall from Gotham’s white knight to Two-Face and about Batman and Joker fighting for his soul. Dent starts off like Batman, he wants to do good, he wants to save the city but unlike Batman he lacks the willpower to stay on the righteous path. Joker understands this, where he starts off wanting to kill Batman he soon realizes that Dent is a far greater target with far more hard-hitting consequences. Bring the city to chaos – Good. Bring one man to chaos and take the city down with him – Better.

Speaking of Joker, the man is a psychotic but he’s just crazy enough to understand people, he doesn’t have a plan but he can anticipate how people will act because they have order and since he has no order he can act before they can react. Of course this doesn’t always work but when it does it scares the citizens even more than they already are.

And Batman is Batman, unfaltering and incorruptible. He’s the least interesting character in the Batman universe but that’s no fault of the movie’s. At least here they give him some depth and some faults when he loses Rachel because he refuses to bow down to Joker.

The acting is all fantastic. Christian Bale is great as Batman but better as the more fragile and human Bruce Wayne. Heath Ledger is utterly brilliant as Joker, bring true malice and insanity to the character, more so than anyone else who’s played him before – noticed how many times he licks his lips or talks to himself. But the real standout here is Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, as I’ve said above Dent is most complex character in the film and watching him fall into Jokers anarchic dreams is a disturbing but great one.

The direction is also worth a mention, Nolan knows what he’s doing and does everything damn near perfectly. From the large stuff like the use of sound and score and the utterly fantastic action sequences, to the more subtle element like the frequent camera shots of only half of Dent’s face and the slow change from a gangster like film to a more action oriented one. As Joker’s chaos grows so does the amount of action and disorder on-screen.

There’s really not much more I can praise this film for. The score is suitably epic, the actors are all great and the interactions between each of the three main characters and how they grow and become something different due to their actions is brilliant . Nolan once again proves himself to be one to the greatest directors working today. I can’t recommend you watch this because everyone already has, so I recommend a re-watch.

The Dark Knight Rises here I come !

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

The Prestige

03-31-12, 08:25 PM

Nice reviews, lad. I've only read the Chronicle, Tom Carter Ghost Of Mars and The Dark Knight reviews. Well written. I've not heard a bad thing about Chronicle and obviously I love The Dark Knight but I will def. be giving this Carter film a miss. Just doesn't sound like my cup of tea :)

ElmoLovesYou

04-05-12, 01:41 AM

http://manilovefilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/HC2.jpg

Well, I'm at a loss for words. Just like I was after watching Human Centipede (First Sequence). I can't really review this as I would other films because this isn't other films, and it would be hard to classify the things that happen in this move to be good or bad. It's not good or bad, it's just...what it is.

This one is about a pudgy little guy named Martin who loved the first "Human Centipede" movie so much that he decides to create his own, even though he has no medical background whatsoever. That's what really adds to the brutality of it all, he's no professional, he doesn't know what he's doing. No proper equipment, just some duct tape and a staple gun.

I found this one to be a little more interesting than the first one because we were following Martin, and my twisted curiosity did have me craving the idea of an even bigger human centipede. I'm all for a gross out movie, and that's absolutely what this is. And I do like that the film was black and white, that made it easier to watch the laxative scene.

The movie is definitely disturbing, I'd say the most unsettling film I've seen in good while. Martin was a disgusting sight as it is, but we see him beating people's teeth out with a hammer, and masturbating with sand paper wrapped around his dingy. And believe me that's only the tip of the icepick ladies and gentlemen, there's too much gross things to talk about.

Overall, I can't really say if I liked it or not. The only thing it's good for is shock value and turning people's stomachs, so if you're into that kind of thing then this is a masterpiece.

My grade: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wf_pB1OK9mg/RlCUdQ6QTdI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4fM4cTpnsLo/s320/elmo.jpg

mark f

04-05-12, 02:58 AM

I'm disappointed. I didn't know that Tickle-Me-Elmo liked THAT kind of tickling...

ElmoLovesYou

04-05-12, 03:07 AM

I'm disappointed. I didn't know that Tickle-Me-Elmo liked THAT kind of tickling...

lol what?

TheUsualSuspect

04-05-12, 03:34 AM

For a split second I thought you gave this garbage a 5 star....or elmo rating.

ElmoLovesYou

04-05-12, 03:39 AM

For a split second I thought you gave this garbage a 5 star....or elmo rating.

I think probably that's what Mark thought. No, I gave it 5 Elmo WTF's :p

ElmoLovesYou

04-05-12, 03:46 AM

http://www.moviephotogallery.com/data/media/446/clash_of_the_titans_wallpaper_08.jpg

Clash of The Titans is a very good looking film. The effects are amazing, the Kraken looks fantastic and the locations are gorgeous ...but that's all there really is to it. It's a good action film but not much else.

The acting is nothing special at all. Nobody even really stands out and everyone is just serviceable in their role. Sam Worthington brings very little to Perseus and in fact there's very little to remember. I only remember Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time, Quantum of Solace) because she looked good during her running scenes.

It's no surprise that the two most known actors are the best in the roles. Ralph Fiennes brings his Voldemort hiss to the treacherous Hades and Liam Neeson is Liam Neeson what more do you need - he plays the King Of The Gods of course and that's all you can ask for.

The actions scenes are good for what they are but they're few and far between, one early moment starts with a with ex-king turned beast Calibos and continues on to a battle royale three massive scorpions. This sequence is great to watch but once it's done the film slows down again and it never really reaches those heights again until the final minutes with the Kraken which doesn't last that long.

Overall an average action film with just a few fleeting moments that elevate it only slightly. I still have yet to catch Wrath of the Titans, and I have a feeling it won't be much better.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

ElmoLovesYou

04-05-12, 04:27 PM

http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/american-reunion-theatrical-trailer-37064-16x9-large.jpg

In 1999 a little film about a group of high-school boys planning to lose their virginity on prom night was released and, unbeknownst to the masses, it became a runaway success. The film was American Pie and after spanning two equally successful, though not as well received, sequels and a string of straight-to-DVD additions (many of which were cashing in on the films name) it seemed as if enough time had passed for the baked-good loving shenanigans to be laid to rest. But this is Hollywood and sequels are a dime a dozen these days so why not revisit a formula that has worked before?

American Pie: Reunion is indeed a sequel we didn’t need, it’s been 9 years since we last saw the gang and that can often be a bit too long between installments, but it’s got to be said that this is one sequel that’s worth the time. Having missed their 10-year reunion, best friends Jim (Jason Biggs), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Oz (Chris Klein) and Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) decide they should return to their hometown for their 13th year reunion. Naturally the intent of a wholesome trip away is thwarted thanks in large part to eternal party animal Stifler (Seann William Scott) who still hasn’t really grown up from high school and plans on revisiting that craziness despite his friends all being decidedly grown up. There’s a great sense of nostalgia with ‘Reunion’ as everyone from the previous films is back, and I do mean everyone; Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth, Mena Suvari, even the ‘Sherminator‘. And this helps the film feel like a true successor in the series.

The storyline is simple, and perhaps a bit too light, but these films have never been about that as such, and they manage to string along enough of a coherent plot to allow the typical over-the-top scenarios the boys get themselves into, and there’s plenty of those on offer. If you had no interest in the films to begin with, or lost interest with the sequels, then ‘Reunion’ is unlikely to capture your attention, but if you are like myself and found the films to be humourous escapism entertainment then I suggest you get out there to re-acquaint yourself with some old friends.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

The Rodent

04-05-12, 04:30 PM

Lovely, was always a fan of the first three original Pie films.
The terrible direct-to-DVD-sequels that followed weren't even worth the plastic that the DVDs were made from.

Will def have a look at this one now though.

ElmoLovesYou

04-08-12, 09:42 PM

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/CatFoyFoy/sunshine-movie-poster-1020406301.jpg

Sunshine is an utterly brilliant Sci-Fi horror film with great psychological moments and tense character relations. However it does suffer in the last third of the film from going too far horror then too far sci-fi and not really finding the good middle ground that the first 2/3s of the film had.

The film starts off well by introducing the crew and their important mission, these people are the best and brightest of Earth and they have been sent to reignite a dying sun, the second crew after the first mysteriously vanished. While the crew is set up and everyone has their own distinct personalities only a few are actually memorable, Cillian Murphy (Inception, the upcoming Red Lights) as Capa is shown to have distinct knowledge of the mission which mean only he understands how big the scale of the bomb is, creating an outsider feeling between him and the rest of the crew. Chris Evans (Cellular, upcoming The Avengers) as Mace is short-tempered but he can be level-headed when it’s needed and his final scenes show him to be a sacrificial hero. And Cliff Curtis (The Last Airbender, TV's "Missing") as Searle is built up as a man obsessed with the sun, not to a dangerous level but it does make some of his choices questionable. Unfortunately the rest of the crew aren’t really that memorable, even the lovely Rose Byrne (Insidious, "Damages") is pretty forgettable.

What the film really does well is that it takes it time to start with, showing the psychological breakdown of these characters. You can tell things have gone bad during the journey but the closer they get the tenser the situation becomes. As things go from bad to worse the character’s mental capability’s deteriorate further, the psychological aspect of this film is one of its highlights.

Danny Boyle’s direction is, as always, brilliant, he utilizes his infamous Close-Up for a lot of claustrophobic moments, especially in those tight, boiling suits, making the audience feel the same fear the characters are going through. He also creates a lot of tension building moments, from Kaneda’s shield fix to the ship jump, you really feel your breath stop for a few seconds.

The score is also fantastic, it’s one of the best of any film I’ve ever seen, really giving off the space feel and epic scope. "The Surface Of The Sun" is absolutely sublime and absolutely incredible.

Now for the downside, after the crew has found the first ship and discovered what happened to the first crew it sort of goes downhill, the problem is Pinbaker, the ‘villain’ of the film. Don’t get me wrong Mark Strong (John Carter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) gives a great performance and the distorted image he gives off is terrifyingly brilliant but he’s an unnecessary character. The film was doing great as a psychological horror but he changes it into more a slasher and the film really didn’t need that. If it wasn’t for a couple of scenes Pinbaker could’ve been a fantastic interpretation of the crew’s failing mental capacity but unfortunately he’s not.

Also the ending is a little strange, you need to get your head around gravity and continuums and the like and it’s a whole big mess that kinda ruins the film.

But despite this the film is really good, the slow mental breakdown of the crew, the score and the visuals of the sun all make it one of the best sci-fi films of recent memory, it’s just a shame the end stops it from being the best.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

The Rodent

04-08-12, 10:02 PM

Good review. Loved Sunshine when it came out, top film.

Personally I'd have it a higher rating though.

ElmoLovesYou

04-10-12, 01:41 AM

http://images.wikia.com/logopedia/images/0/01/Thor_logo.png

On its own merits Thor is a good film, pretty typical story but very enjoyable along the way. This is perhaps the funniest of the Marvel movies thanks in part to a surprisingly comedic turn from relative newbie Chris Hemsworth. Chris shows Thor to be a spoiled child, one that’s used to getting his own way and preferring to talk with his fists. When the Frost-Giants break into Asgard, Thor wants to use violence to get answers but his father Odin (a good, almost Shakespearean turn by Anthony Hopkins) tells him to ignore it as some chancers trying their luck. Of course Thor doesn’t listen and when he seeks out violence he puts his world on the brink of war, Odin banishes his son for his actions.

When on earth Thor has trouble fitting into this new world, he has become mortal and he needs to get use to his loss of powers, with hilarious results. Hemsworth is really great as Thor, his arc is fully believable because he sells both the spoiled brat and the sacrificial hero with good comedic timing in-between both ends of Thor’s spectrum.

Of course that’s not to say no-one else was great, Natalie Portman brought something special to Jane Foster, it’s not a difficult role but you can believe someone like Portman as a scientist. Jaimie Alexandra ("Kyle XY", Rest Stop) was actually pretty bad-ass as maiden warrior Sif, Idris Elba ("The Wire", upcoming Prometheus) was amazing as always playing the all-seeing, all hearing gatekeeper Heimdall, and Tom Hiddleston (War Horse) plays the mischievous Loki amazingly.

In terms of directing Kenneth Branagh does a damn good job, mixing both the speeches of honor and loyalty and the large action sequences. The Frost-Giant battle and the Destroyer rampage being two highlights of the film. The visuals are also fantastic, Asgard looks fantastic and the rainbow bridge is spectacular.

In conclusion, Thor is a visually stunning film with great humor, action and two amazing performances from Hemsworth and Hiddleston. Thor holds a special place in my Marvel Universe heart, and I'm counting down the days until The Avengers.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

The Rodent

04-10-12, 03:06 AM

Really need to see Thor before the Avengers comes out. Looks good, thanks for the review.

ElmoLovesYou

04-11-12, 01:33 AM

http://d15mj6e6qmt1na.cloudfront.net/files/images/0111/2118/se7en.jpg

Se7en is one of the all-time great crime dramas, I’m hesitant to call it a thriller but it does have some thrilling moments, especially in the ending. Se7en is set in a permanently grey and dull world where it never stops raining and the police just want to get the job done fast, not right.

In this world there is two detectives, the veteran Somerset (Morgan Freeman), a smart, orderly, calm detective that’s nearing his retirement, and the new kid on the block, Mills (Brad Pitt) a recently promoted detective that wants to do the job right but doesn’t have the patience to stay focussed. Freeman and Pitt both play their roles brilliantly, Freeman’s quiet intensity really sells Somerset’s world-weary manner and Pitt’s loud-mouth attitude fits Mills’ brash nature but you can also see him as the devoted husband. Everyone in the film plays their role well, even Gwyneth Paltrow in her small role as Mills’ wife.

David Fincher’s direction is near perfect as it always is, he really sells the grey world with its dark people and vicious criminal activity. Even when the killer is first seen Fincher keeps his face in darkness, building up the enigma of who this maniac is. The film doesn’t rely on action scenes, instead it’s a lot more psychological and clever, so when the film does have an action scene, and in fact there is one when Mills chases John Doe, it’s a lot tenser and actually means something.

Of course the film really comes into its greatness when John Doe is revealed and everything from there to the end is absolutely spectacular, Kevin Spacey is utterly terrifying as the killer, his monologue in the car about the supposed ‘innocence’ of his victims shows that he really believes he’s doing something important. Then he reveals what’s in the box.

Before the police car journey Mills makes a few references to his wife to remind you that she’s there, she’s got a small role and hasn’t been seen in a while but she’s there and she means a lot to Mills. So when John reveals what he did it’s even more of a gut punch. Everything in that scene is perfect, from the score, the changing camera focus from Somerset with the box, Mills with John and the helicopter, Spacey’s cold demeanor and Somerset’s fruitless attempt to stop his distraught partner. Pitt might have overdone it before he kills John but his disconnected look after he pulls the trigger makes up for that.

Before the twist this would have been a pretty good police thriller. But with that end sequence and an absolutely terrifying villain it bumps it up to one of the greats.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

BestFlix

04-11-12, 09:30 AM

Great review Elmo. Makes me wanna watch it again. It's been a long time since I watched it but I clearly remember the great twist in the end. Amazing movie and is definitely one of my favorites.

mastermetal777

04-11-12, 09:55 AM

Excellent review, Elmo. I remember the first time I saw this film, I wasn't the least bit terrified (apart from a certain scene involving a seemingly "dead" victim) until Kevin Spacey appeared and started talking. That's when I realized how deranged he and his actions were. Love this film, and I love the leads, especially Freeman.

The Rodent

04-11-12, 11:22 AM

I really need to redo my top 20 movies after seeing Se7en. Awesome film.
Spacey even made it to #8 in my villains list.

Nice review Elmo!

ElmoLovesYou

04-11-12, 03:52 PM

Se7en is one of my faves. I absolutely love it. Thanks for the raves guys. :)

ElmoLovesYou

04-13-12, 04:51 PM

I'll be going to a screening of Battleship tonight. I shall have my review up sometime early this weekend. :)

honeykid

04-13-12, 05:41 PM

I'll be going to a screening of Battleship tonight.
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/1155341618648.jpg

ElmoLovesYou

04-14-12, 12:51 AM

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/uploads/2011/07/Battleship-Movie-Title-Logo-2.jpg

No doubt hoping to emulate the success seen with the ‘Transformer’ films, Battleship practically makes itself out to be an unofficial sequel to the Michael Bay productions just replacing land with sea, Shia LaBeouf with Taylor Kitsch, Tyrese with Rihanna, and big robots with even bigger ones And on paper I’m sure it looked like a swell idea. Kitsch, fresh off the underperforming John Carter, plays Hopper, a bad boy type with a big heart who is thrust into the navy with his more respectable older brother (‘True Blood’ god Alexander Skarsgard), hoping to ask the Admiral (Liam Neeson) for his daughter’s (Brooklyn Decker) hand in marriage. Oh if only that was Hopper’s only problem.

After we briefly get our characters down we’re thrown some story about a signal from NASA that was sent out to another planet who have just so happened to respond. Putting the films $200 million dollar budget to good use, our intergalactic visitors take aim on the Naval force on the same weekend as their annual Naval Games. Initially believing it’s a possible routine task, Hopper and the crew (which includes Rihanna as a weapons expert) soon come to realize this threat is very real and very dangerous. What follows is 2 hours of loud noises and big explosions, all of which are impressive on the eye, but very little else as the script from Eric and John Hoeber (Red) seems to of been written on auto pilot with every cliched line you’d come to expect from this type of film thrown in to the point where it almost becomes comically ironic.

Casting wise the film goes for style over substance with Kitsch, Skarsgard and Decker all clearly hired for their looks rather than their talent, and Neeson was obviously just enjoying the chance to score a paycheck to hang in Hawaii for a few weeks as his severely underwritten role allows little more than steely gazes and a raised, intimidating voice. Surprisingly it’s Rihanna that shines the brightest with the singer cashing in on the tough but fun-loving persona she’s perpetuated throughout her music career turning in the films most natural performance.

A film like Battleship isn’t meant to be taken seriously and for the most part, save for a plot point in the final act of the film which takes it to an unintentionally hilarious place, it’s a lot of fun, ludicrous but fun. Regardless of how you feel you’re more than likely to walk out of the theater with a smile on your face, just the reasoning for your smile might differ from those around you.

Battleship officially opens nationwide May 18th.

My score: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8685&stc=1&d=1331801874%20-%201/4

ElmoLovesYou

04-14-12, 09:09 PM

http://media.screened.com/uploads/2/25035/615921-the_cabin_in_the_woods_movie_super.jpg

In one word, this movie is brilliant. In a few more words, it's also scary, funny, surprising, and very entertaining. Was I laughing throughout the entire film like The Usual Suspect said he was? No. But I did laugh when necessary. If you've ever watched a horror movie, you probably know the set up. But right from the get go, literally from the first scene of the movie, you know things are going to be quite different from anything you've seen in a horror movie before this one.

Like everyone else, I'm not going to spoil anything about the movie. But you should know that it lovingly embraces all horror movies that have come before it while also forging a new path for itself and creating a horror movie mythology that stands alone, on its own terms.

As the plot unfolded, I sat in my seat literally giddy with excitement, partially because I knew what was about to happen and partially because I had no idea what was about to happen. I was right on both counts, and I couldn't have had more fun with this movie than I did. The Cabin in the Woods was remarkable, and a real classic tale that really surprised me.

I can't stress enough, you need to see this movie. If you've ever loved a horror movie, or hated a horror movie, or complained about how horror movies are all the same as each other, you owe it to yourself to see this. Drew Goddard's direction is beautiful, the casting is perfect, and the script is tight as can be. Trust me, you won't regret seeing this one.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

TheUsualSuspect

04-16-12, 07:33 PM

Glad you enjoyed it!!!

ElmoLovesYou

04-18-12, 08:26 PM

http://x.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/f/00/4be802b29acde.jpg

If there’s one thing that makes Iron Man work it’s Robert Downey Jr, the man has got such on-screen charisma that it makes everyone around him gravitate towards him and he has chemistry with everyone, even the robots.

Tony Stark is a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, he doesn’t give a crap about what people think of him, he just makes money and beds women. That is until he is injured while selling weapons in The Middle East, the experience changes Tony as for the first time he sees the accountability his company has. He’s no longer in the dark and he wants to make a difference. Downey manages to play all aspects of Stark brilliantly, the playboy, the genius and the humanitarian, all with good humor as well so when he does something rather out there it doesn’t feel out of context – like having the reporters sit down for a conference.

Everyone just has great chemistry with Stark, from Rhodes, his best friend played by Terrence Howard who gives a feeling that despite frequently never agreeing with each other they are good friends. The ever great Jeff Bridges has a father figure relationship with Tony which means when he’s revealed as the villain it’s almost a surprise. He does get a little cartoonish when he’s in his own armor but it fits the comic book origins.

And of course Gwyneth Paltrow fits the role of Pepper Potts like a glove, her rapport with Downey is one of the film’s highlights as you can see these two like each other but since he’s her boss neither can act on these feelings. But that doesn’t mean they can’t have a good laugh with each other.

The action is kept at a good pace as well, there’s not too much so we don’t get to know and love the characters but there’s not too little that the film is bogged down with dialogue. There’s probably four or five big action moments and they all last a good while. The film uses a good amount of humor, like a lot of the Marvel films, most of it is Stark’s quips but there’s also some slapstick moments near the beginning with Stark testing his new suit. None of it is laugh out loud hilarious but the giggles keep things going and light-hearted enough for this to be a fun movie.

In conclusion, Iron man is a great action film and a fantastic addition to the Marvel film universe. An absolutely brilliant performance by Downey who nails Stark to a tee.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

cinemaafficionado

04-19-12, 01:42 AM

Yeah, perfect part for Downey and he did breathe a life of his own into it.

JayDee

04-20-12, 03:40 PM

If I'm looking for people to go to my Movie Musings thread it only seems fair that I keep up with the other reviewers as well. Somehow this thread had kind of slipped by my grasp but some really nice reviews. :up:

In particular I share your love for Chronicle, Iron Man and the Rings trilogy. Though I would probably give all three Rings 5/5. Well maybe Two Towers a little lower

ElmoLovesYou

04-22-12, 03:39 PM

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__UKa_QKl9dE/S_cPkrEnwRI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Y-Z4vKIdOh4/s400/CommandoPoster.jpg

I can’t pin down what is so entertaining about this film, maybe because it’s just so damn entertaining, everyone is a characterture of the typical action movie role, it’s all over the top and ridiculous to the point where your disbelief is so suspended it’s giving Sully a run for his money and even then it’s still quite stupid. But it works, this film has its tongue boring a hole into its cheek, it knows it’s big, it knows it’s dumb so it goes all out to be the biggest and the dumbest.

In terms of acting, well there is not really any acting to be said, everyone just does what they’re supposed to do, Arnie is a brick shithouse cowman, he’s bulletproof, quick-witted and devoted to his daughter Jenny, played by a very young Alyssa Milano (Which made me feel very awkward). Cindy screams a lot and is generally useless until suddenly she becomes useful then we never see her again, Bennett has a moustache so that makes him the villain, he comes out with some one-liners that show how sadistic and evil he really is, some hit, some miss. And the two other main bad guys are just general bad guys, Cooke has a tough macho outlook and Sully is kinda creepy and little bit snobby. But we’re not here for acting we’re here to watch stuff blow up.

As I said before you have to go into the film open-minded, there’s a lot that happens that just couldn’t. From stuff like John escaping a plane through the wheel to surviving a police van crash caused by a rocket launcher. John survives so much more than a usual human, he has skin of titanium while everyone else is made of candy floss.

When he started a fight in a shopping center, I thought things were getting silly then in the last half hour (of a 90 minute film) he activates God-Mode and infiltrates the compound where his daughter is being held.

The final half hour really makes the film one of the best action films, everything up to this point has been fun but that infiltration is one of the most ridiculously entertaining action sequences I’ve ever seen. Arnie is the definition of a One Man Army, armed to the teeth and beyond he mows down every single bad guy with no worry about aiming, he catches all bullets fired at him with his mouth and spits the back and when he finds the time he shoots explosives just for fun. It’s big, it’s dumb. It’s just so much frickin fun.

Overall, just a damn entertaining film, full of action, explosions, one liners and a slight sense of parody running through the whole thing.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8684&stc=1&d=1331801866%20-1/2

honeykid

04-23-12, 05:27 PM

I love Commando. It's as camp as a row of tents and it knows it. It's the cheap knock off/cash-in film, but it's so much better than Rambo.

BestFlix

04-24-12, 05:21 AM

Yes I totally agree. Downey is great as the cocky and smart Tony Stark. Really looking forward to Iron Man 3. Was not too crazy about number 2. The story was a bit "boring" but still entertaining to watch.

ElmoLovesYou

04-24-12, 03:32 PM

I'm getting a chance to see an advance showing of The Avengers this Friday. So I will have my review up shortly after.

ElmoLovesYou

04-25-12, 01:16 AM

http://www.annyas.com/screenshots/images/2005/king-kong-title-screenshot.jpg

I didn’t think much about King Kong when I first saw it, yeah it was good but it was too long to keep my interest. That was a few years ago and I haven’t seen the film in a while, this time around I enjoyed it a lot more but it’s still too long.

I’ll start easy with the acting, everyone is serviceable in their roles, no-one has anything truly difficult to do but they don’t ham it up or just float from scene to scene. Naomi Watts was a good choice for Ann, she’s got an angelic look which means you can understand why Kong falls in love with her but also you can never hate her for all the screaming she does (And she does do quite a lot). Not only that but Watts is a good actress so I’m glad they just didn’t pick any pretty face for the character, Watts manages to make her fear and terror and sadness all feel real.

Adrian Brody was good as Jack, he fitted the writer role better than the gun-toting one, his ‘Save the girl’ attitude bugged me a little but not enough to hate the guy. Also I didn’t like how quickly he and Ann fell for each other, it seemed like ten minutes went by and suddenly they’re in love. I don’t hate the character of Jack but I do think he could’ve been cut out and not a lot would’ve been missed.

The film did have two great roles though, firstly Jack Black as Carl, this is probably one of Black’s best roles outside of a comedy, he really sells the desperate producer act, he lies, he cheats and he might as well have stole, all to get himself out of the gutter. He’s never shown to be a villain or slimy he’s just a man pushed to edge and wants to have his time in the limelight.

The second great role is Andy Serkis as Kong, Serkis showed he could use motion capture to great effect with Gollum and he’s no difference here. He makes Kong’s animalistic actions and voice all authentic and frankly quite brilliant, it’s hard to believe that it’s a man instead of just plain C.G.I. but Serkis makes the character and the role his own.

Now after watching the LOTR trilogy I know Jackson is a great director and here is just more evidence, he manages to create an epic scope of this world that time and God has forgot, from, his nightmarish Tribal attack to his sweeping shots of New York and the jungle. Jackson really has an eye for the camera and he knows how to shoot a good action scene, the T-Rex battle is a highlight of the film and Jackson does a fantastic job of it all.

The visual effects are also sublime. Kong looks utterly convincing, in a close–up near the end of the film you can even see every single hair on his face which is impressive. The destruction Kong causes in New York and the panic that everyone has is also wonderful to observe especially considering that Kong isn’t really there, for a few seconds you almost believe he is.

Now for the downside, as I’ve said before the film is too long, I’m fine with long films but this felt like it could’ve lost about 30, 40 minutes and it would still be a great film. Even some of the action scenes drag a little, the T-Rex fight, while a highlight, did go on a bit. It’s not enough to make me bored of the film, but it’s enough to make me lose interest for a few minutes.

Overall a great film with superb directing and visual effects, adding more to the evidence that Jackson and Serkis deserve all the praise they receive. The running length is the only major problem and that’s subjective. Definitely see this one and form your own opinion.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4

mark f

04-25-12, 02:33 AM

I think it's probably as good as or better than my second fave LOTR movie, and I love all of those. :cool:

BestFlix

04-25-12, 05:16 AM

In my opinion not the best movie but the scene where King Kong fights the T-Rex was really well made. So we both agree on that :) I clearly remember enjoying that scene while the rest was a bit of :rolleyes:

ElmoLovesYou

04-27-12, 08:19 PM

http://disneyvault.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-Avengers-Logo.jpg

You know all those good things you’ve heard about this film, it lives up to the hype and more, this right now is my favorite film of 2012 and for good reason, everything just works fantastically.

The characters are all great, they’re played just as well if not better than they did in their individual films. Mark Ruffalo is easily the best Banner and as a result the best Hulk, and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye just brought a smile on my face whenever he was on-screen. Even Scarlett Johansonn brought more to Black Widow, making her smarter, stronger and able to kick even more ass while looking fantastic doing so. Of course it was no surprise that Tony Stark got the best lines, but don’t worry he doesn’t overshadow anyone.

Speaking of lines this film was written incredibly well, Whedon shows his natural talent for writing and directing here and utilizes both to great effect. The natural Whedon dialogue makes the less action-packed scenes great to watch, because you can hear that great script at work. Listening to every line whether it be funny, bad-ass or dramatic it all works perfectly.

The film strikes a good balance between different emotions and the action scenes are literally action-packed. There’s still enough room for some actually really funny moments and a dramatic part half-way through that just sucker-punches the hell out of you. There were a few fight scenes in the first hour or so that were simply great to watch, but the entire last act in New York will knock your freaking socks off.

The Avengers is shot incredibly well. There’s tension, there’s explosions and there’s more than a few bits that make you want to cheer. What makes the film really great is that it is a "Team movie". These people are a team and they work together, there’s not just one person doing all the good work with everyone else just getting one good scene - everyone works well and everyone kicks major ass.

I don’t want to give too much away so I won't say anymore apart from you need to see this film right now. It is definitely the best super-hero movie ever made (Yes, I am saying it’s a better super-hero film than The Dark Knight), and it’s one of the best action films in years.

Oh by the way, do stay after the credits for an extra scene because even with the most basic comic book knowledge like I have it’s an exciting scene. You see a certain someone and when I saw them I thought, "Is that who I think it is? Wait a minute, HOLY CRAP!!I I know who that is. This is going to be good."

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

She-ra

04-28-12, 05:18 PM

The Prestige

04-29-12, 07:21 AM

Hmm, still not sure about this Avengers. Just dunno if I can be arsed, tbh. I mean, I love Whedon because of Buffy & Angel, but I was unimpressed with Iron Man and Thor. Thor wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I think I may have to wait for the DVD or something.

TylerDurden99

04-29-12, 07:33 AM

It's pretty good, Prestige. The group achieve a nice chemistry and there's plenty of humor to balance out the action. I rate it 3+, but that by no means says the movie is of bad quality. It's more of a personal reason.

Do see it.

ElmoLovesYou

04-29-12, 03:34 PM

Elmo, Sorry to highjack your thread but I was just wondering if you are going to review...

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTQ4ODk3MDMwOF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjQ5MzI4Ng@@._V1._SY317_.jpg
Being Elmo

It just seems appropriate :)

You're not hijacking my thread She-ra. :) It would be an appropriate choice for me to review and yes..I just might do so. :D

ElmoLovesYou

04-30-12, 12:54 AM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdfl-g_IUJ8/TpRxPHxwWzI/AAAAAAAABGU/SVdmvPr5JmE/s1600/BeingElmo_banner3.jpg

After watching Being Elmo on Netflix this evening, I have to say it was well worth the viewing.

Kevin Clash is the gentle giant behind the most beloved character on Sesame Street, and his story is of the outsider whose obsession is the world of puppetry. From a very early age Clash has been infatuated with the worlds Jim Henson and Frank Oz managed to create on television and the big screen. His keen interest moves from curiosity to making his own puppets and performing wherever he can. Mind you, Clash is doing this in Baltimore, not the suburbs of southern California. Despite ridicule from his peers, Clash continues to pursue his passion. Before long he gets a chance to star in a local TV show using all his own handmade puppets.

The love Clash has for his craft is enthralling to watch. He is so sincere about his desire to become a great puppeteer that it’s easy to miss the contrast of this large African American male from Baltimore performing with his felt covered creations. As Clash continues to hone his craft he gets the opportunity to work with the best of the best, including Jim Henson, Clash’s hero. The retelling of how the two met and the working relationship they developed is endearing. Hearing Clash talk about it makes it feel as though it happened just moments ago.

Throughout the documentary there is the use of still photos which, rather than settle on the now tried and true practice of Ken Burns' like camera movements on and around the photos, it uses a 3D like journey through the stills. The effect draws you into the story and is never overused as to make it feel gimmicky. The same cannot be said for the narration by Whoopi Goldberg. Her narration just gets to the point of distraction. While her voice is distinguishable, it simply doesn't enhance the film whatsoever.

The highest notes of Being Elmo are fantastic. The sincerity cannot be missed and the story of the man behind one of the most popular children’s characters of all time is an enjoyable one.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

She-ra

04-30-12, 06:22 AM

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this sounds a lot more interesting, I'm defiantly going to put this in my film queue now.

ElmoLovesYou

05-05-12, 03:48 PM

http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/act-of-valor-header.jpg

With the ‘found footage’ style of film making wearing thin, Act of Valor decides to take it to the next step and cast non-actors in an otherwise straightforward typically Hollywood action film. With actual active-duty U.S. Navy Seals and Special Warfare Combatant Crewmen in the lead roles the film benefits from a certain amount of realism and you’d be hard pressed not to be blown away by the action displayed on screen, but given the acting inexperience of the cast there’s very little else to be excited about. The plot is generic as far as these types of films go...suicide bomber takes out American Ambassador, undercover CIA agent is captured and held prisoner, the SEALS go in for the rescue, terrorist plot unfolds, climactic action sequence with x amount of casualties: It’s Michael Bay’s by the books storytelling, and without reliable or charismatic actors to follow it all comes across a bit empty.

As much as the Navy Seals try their hardest to make a character impact, it’s hard to get too emotionally invested as they aren’t given too much depth, and apart from the two leads, the rest of the crew just camouflage into the background. It isn’t all bad though as the action is stellar and it doesn’t sugar-coat the harsh realities of what these brave men face every day making it seem like a far more authentic experience.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

JayDee

05-05-12, 04:22 PM

Really nice review of Being Elmo. :up: One I've fancied for quite a while

ElmoLovesYou

05-10-12, 03:42 PM

http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/images/dark_shadows_2012_movie_review_clips_johnny_depp_tim_burton_michelle_pfeiffer.jpg

It’s hard to believe that given all their collaborations together Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have never tackled anything vampiric. With the undead genre starting to lose a little of its bite it seems like the duo are a little late to the party with Dark Shadows, but then again a vampire-themed film from these two is going to be unlike anything else on offer. All of the ingredients for a gothic tale are there with Depp starring as wealthy socialite of sorts Barnabus Collins who is cursed to a life as an immortal bloodsucker when he breaks the heart of chambermaid-come-witch Angelique (Eva Green). Buried in a box for 200 years he rises in the year 1972 where he seeks out his descendants who still reside in the Collins manor... Matriarch of the estate Elizabeth Collins (Michelle Pfeiffer), her rebellious daughter Carolyn (Chloe Grace Moretz), her lecherous brother Roger (Jonny Lee Miller) and his precocious son David (Gulliver McGrath).

As the story unwinds Barnabus’ true identity is revealed and the town that once adored his family is now the enemy as Angelique, re-identifying herself as Angie, assists in tearing the Collins’ clan apart. With a plethora of colorful characters which also include Jackie Earle Haley as the spaced-out caretaker Willie and Helena Bonham Carter as the booze-inducing family psychiatrist, and the scenery drenched in a typical Burton mix of washed out pallets and hyper vibrancy, there’s a lot to like about this film. However, it’s likely that fans of the original TV series that this is loosely based on (and I do stress the word loose) won’t find anything too familiar here. And Burton's followers just might be disappointed that he hasn’t gone crazy enough to reach the heights of his earlier work like Beetlejuice as the films promotional campaigns has pegged it as a comedy when in reality it’s far from it.

Sure there are some very witty and kooky moments, and the finale is deliriously over-the-top, that it’s hard to say it’s a disappointment. Plus it’s hard to completely fault a film with such a wonderful cast. But I’d suggest treading carefully into these shadows as you’re likely to get what you least expect.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8685&stc=1&d=1331801874%20-%201/4

TheUsualSuspect

05-11-12, 03:59 AM

Eva Green's cleavage....mmmmhmmmm.

ElmoLovesYou

05-11-12, 03:18 PM

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/outi777/Starship%20Bombus/DieHardLogo01.jpg

It’s easy just to say Die Hard is the perfect action film and leave it at that but there’s so much to love about the film that you can’t just leave it there.

The film takes a slow start, introducing as to John McClane, his wife Holly and their strained relationship. The first twenty minutes set this film up as almost a rom-com of sorts with hilarity going around John’s attempts to fit into L.A. while trying to get back together with his wife. However once we see the terrorists the action ramps up and doesn’t come down. This is a typical Hostage takeover film but with little things that take it above and beyond the ordinary.

For starters the characters are all fantastic, the terrorists are all unique enough to, not be memorable but they aren’t forgettable either, they all have at least one trait so you remember them whether it be the Asian One, the guy with the rocket launcher or Huey Lewis. The police and F.B.I. are all suitably inept, thinking they’re doing the right thing but are actually helping the terrorists and due to a communication breakdown they even try to kill McClane. The only good cop is Al Powell who acts as a shoulder for McClane to lean against, to let out all his feelings at that moment, he’s a friend when John has none. Holly stays cool under pressure from the terrorists and tries to do what’s best for the other hostages and Ellis is great as slimy executive only looking out for himself.

But what really makes the film is the great hero and the possible even better villain. Bruce Willis is brilliant as John McClane, the New York cop out of home and out of his comfort zone when he goes to visit his wife for her company’s Christmas party. McClane is the stereotypical wise-cracking, hard smoking, tough-ass but what makes him so great is his human side, he doesn’t have to help the hostages but he does because it’s his duty, he gets hurt (the famous glass foot wound being a prime example) and at some points even he has had enough of everything. But they keep McClane just smart, tough and able enough to be a true hero and save the day. On the other end of the spectrum Alan Rickman chews scenery and lines as the smart, sophisticated Hans Gruber, he looks like he could fit into Wall Street and his smooth words go down your ears like good whiskey. He starts the takeover in control, cold and calculating but as McClane ruins his plans he gets angrier and more careless. The hero and villain show a great juxtaposition between each other and it’s one of several aspects that make the film great.

The action in this film has a great mix of realistic and mayhem, there more than a few gunfights throughout the film and they almost always end with at least one person dead. These gunfights are all done well and they’re all exciting to watch but they pale in comparison to the explosive nature of the SWAT infiltration, the C-4 computer and the roof explosion, all the big scenes get more adrenaline pumping and make you want to yell ‘Boo-yah’ especially on the explosion scenes because they look - and are actually – real. Because there are only a few big scenes scattered amongst several gunfights the action is kept at a good pace with several peaks but never letting down.

The writing on this film is yet another great point for it, because we get to know the characters they dialogue feels real, the arguments between John and Holly are exactly the kinds of arguments you expect a couple to have when they’re forced to choose between a career and a relationship. But more than that it’s very smart, Hans’ bluffs his way through the police, trying to throw them off-course with talks of releasing terrorists he’s never met, John’s wisecracks are all chucklesome and quotable, the whole script feels tight. But it’s the little things that really impress, John’s reason for not wearing any shoes, the agents names Johnson and Johnson (no relation), Holly’s watch, the Asian stealing the sweets, Huey Lewis watching sports, little things that keep the film feeling that bit more real.

Overall, there’s a reason they call this the greatest action film ever made, great characters, a memorable hero and villain, a tight script and a brilliant pace for the action.

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gif

The Rodent

05-12-12, 04:48 AM

Top review. You got the same outlook on Die Hard as I have. +rep!

JayDee

05-14-12, 05:28 PM

Yeah, got to agree with Rodent on this. Great review, same as I'd rate it. And the best action film ever. :yup: Made it all the way up to #4 on my top 100 list

ElmoLovesYou

05-17-12, 04:13 PM

http://welovemoviesmorethanyou.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/311249-1020-a.jpg

Serenity is a very good film, it continues the story of the rag-tag crew of Space Cowboys and their ship. Is it necessary to watch this film after Firefly, really no, the show ends fine as it is but if you’re looking for a continuation of the story then this is a good way to go about it.

Much like the show itself the film revolves around some form of government searching for River, this time it’s the creepy and un-named ‘The Operative’. At the same time the crew of Serenity have reached a dry-spot in their criminal activity, add to that that River is getting more and more dangerous and it’s putting a strain on Captain Reynolds and forcing a rift in the crew.

It’s a fairly simple plot but with an engaging story, especially once the crew lands on ‘Miranda’ and discover an awful truth plus some more back-story on River’s past which is always great for such a brilliant character.

In terms of acting, everyone is just as good as they were in the TV series, Simon is still awkward, Kaylee is still cute as hell with her straight talking, Jayne is still the dumb, violent lug, Zoe is still a soldier and Wash is still the voice of reason. There was some bad in with the good – Book is merely a cameo role since leaving the ship (although being a preacher and a passenger I won’t hold that against him) and Inara is just there to look pretty and generally be useless – however there was three utterly brilliant roles in the film.

The first and foremost was Mal Reynolds, I’ve heard some complaints that Mal was a lot grumpier in this film than the series but I liked that, Mal is no longer the happy-go-lucky, floral bonnet wearing Space Cowboy that he once was, he’s being forced to avoid work because of the Tam siblings, his own crew is beginning to question his judgement and when he loses a close friend he’s had enough and wants to fight back against the alliance. It’s a good role and a good growth for the character.

The second is River, now I loved River in the show (she’s my favorite character) and here she’s just as good, perhaps better. With her mind slipping more and more and her past as a trained killer getting closer and closer to the surface River is having trouble fitting into the ship without being seen as a threat. However with the growing killer instinct we get to see River kick-ass, twice, and both times she is incredible.

The final great role is The Operative, he’s the main villain of the film and he’s a fantastic villain at that, he’s calm, he’s cool, he’s British (obviously), he’s handy with a blade and he knows some amazing hand-to-hand combat moves. When we first see him he kills two officers and paralyses a third to fall onto his blade, a chilling introduction to such a cold character.

Joss Whedon is great as the writer and director, more than the latter. Although I will say that the story has some great twists and turns, we learn a great deal more about the mysterious Reavers and there are quite a few surprise deaths. As for his directing well he’s really good, he uses quite a few gliding movements on the camera, selling the space aspect of the film (when we first meet Serenity there’s a great tracking shot showing us the whole ship and the whole crew yet again. Also with the improvement in FX from the TV show we get some truly amazing shots of the ship in space, chief of which is an absolutely stunning part where Serenity finds itself in the middle of a Space War between The Alliance and The Reavers, dodging and weaving through the floating debris and fire-fights going on around them, it’s a great moment in the film, it’s both tense and exciting to watch.

Overall, this is a great end to a wonderful and regrettably short-lived series, it’s well acted, well directed and action-packed. Highly recommended for Firefly fans and even if you haven’t seen the show this is still a great film to watch (although I do think you’d be better watching the show first then checking out this film).

My grade: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/cookiespike13/head_elmo.gifhttp://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=8683&stc=1&d=1331801858%20-%203/4