The Resident Bitch's Movie Log

[Omnizoa]

I'm gonna come right out and say it: I did not understand this movie at all. I know that it's meant to be a metaphor for something. Perhaps a comment on moral decay, selfishness, and greed? I'm not sure. What I do know is that the film - despite its gorgeous images and capable cast - seems to stumble on its abundance of ideas and lack of focus. Nothing is given a satisfactory explanation

2.5
O_o This sounds familiar.

[mark f]

It close to sucks.

[Gatsby]

Eh, seems like another movie that's muddled in it's own 'grand' vision. I'm not adding it to my watchlist.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/hedwig.gif

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (John Cameron Mitchell, 2001)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248845/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 02/28/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Hedwig is a reason unto itself
Rewatch: Yes

Behind the glamorous wigs and glittery makeup, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is at its core a story about the search for one's identity, the need for love, and the pursuit of dreams.

Struggling to cope with the physical and emotional scars of a botched sex change operation and her abandonment by her husband, Hedwig - born a boy named Hansel - takes babysitting jobs to pay the bills and turns to music to vent her pain. And it is through one of these odd jobs that she meets and falls in love with a 17 year old boy named Tommy, who is struggling to find his own identity. But like the men who've passed through Hedwig's life before him, Tommy ultimately betrays Hedwig and she is left to pick up the pieces.

But this is no melodrama. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is ripe with hilarious dialogue, thick with innuendo, and bursting at the seams with a fantastic soundtrack of songs that entertain, enlighten and work to move the story forward. Director, writer, and star John Cameron Mitchell is glorious as Hedwig, reveling in her exaggerated and flamboyant stage persona, delivering her sarcastic lines with a razor wit, and letting her vulnerability and humanity show in the quieter moments.

But his is not the only strong performance. Miriam Shor is fantastic as Yitzhak, Hedwig's long suffering and neglected partner and band member who envies the glamorous Hedwig, while also yearning to breach the emotional wall Hedwig has built. And of course Michael Pitt is a wonder as Tommy Gnosis, the boy whose very identity was a gift from Hedwig and who repaid her by stealing her songs and claiming them as his own.

Hedwig is a movie that dazzles with its glamour, but also with its color and creativity. Everything about this film pops and moves. Nothing you see on the screen is accidental or insignificant. Its imagery is evocative and enlightening and probably not moreso than the crudely beautiful animation that accompanies the philosophical "Origin of Love."

It's also a film that shifted my ideas of what a musical can be. It has made me recognize that a musical need not feature random bursts of song with choreographed dancing. It can incorporate music in a way that compliments the story and provides exposition without feeling gimmicky or at all out of place. I still generally dislike the genre but with its great humor and emotional impact, I cannot help but love this particular musical.

5

[Camo]

Need to watch that.

[Miss Vicky]

And she has me to thank for knowing about it.


Don't pat yourself on the back too much; mark f and honeykid also recommended it to me.

[Camo]

I've read the Millenium Countdown and SC did suggest it to you the most. Then again he said after it he wasn't even sure if he liked it that much.

[Miss Vicky]

Yes, but it wasn't his recommendation that convinced me to give it a try.

[Camo]

Why did he delete his posts?

Yeah, i remember you said it was Mark actually MV. Said something like Vicky will probably like it which is usually wrong.

[Miss Vicky]

Why did he delete his posts?

Just SC being SC I guess.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I was dissed and I wasn't repped. You'd delete, too.

[Camo]

I was dissed and I wasn't repped. You'd delete, too.

Hopefully it was me that dissed and didn't rep you.

[Thursday Next]

:up: for Hedwig.

[honeykid]

Hedwig is, of course, wonderful. :cool:

[Miss Vicky]

I was dissed and I wasn't repped.

You weren't "dissed." Your vote for it in the Millennium Countdown did a lot to get it on the list which is how I heard about it. However, I didn't consider watching it until Mark said he thought I would like it.

As to the lack of rep, it was an oversight. Nothing personal.

You'd delete, too.

Unlikely. I almost never delete my posts.

[edarsenal]

Hedwig has been on my watchlist for-- forever. Damn fine review

[cricket]

mark f and honeykid also recommended it to me.

And then you recommended it to me. Not my normal type of movie, but it's fantastic.

[Sexy Celebrity]

As to the lack of rep, it was an oversight. Nothing personal.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=24408&stc=1&d=1456776417

[Sexy Celebrity]

I think all of my posts from now on should just be pictures of people staring or whatever. I'll never say another word again after this. I will only stare at you. I will become a forum mute.

Maybe I'll even just use that particular Hedwig picture most of the time.

[Swan]

If that's the case, I will start writing posts that have the sole purpose of seeing what you come up with, Sexy.

[Miss Vicky]

Yeah I'm not gonna rep that *****.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Yeah I'm not gonna rep that *****.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=24410&stc=1&d=1456789103

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/princeachmed.jpg

The Adventures Of Prince Achmed (Lotte Reiniger, 1926)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015532/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

Date Watched: 03/01/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Curiosity
Rewatch: No

As a fan of animation, I really wanted to love this. It is, after all, the medium's first feature length film. On a technical level, it is pretty impressive. It is quite unlike the animated films modern audiences are accustomed to and although it's a bit crude by today's standards, but the animation is done quite well. Its creators succeeded in producing some very beautiful images using only silhouettes and, I imagine, a whole lot of patience.

That said, those pretty pictures can only do so much to hold my attention. I struggled to engage with the story - which is based on The Arabian Nights and is full of magic and fantastical creatures - or feel anything for its very one dimensional characters. I was constantly having to remind myself of the limitations of the medium and the time, since the film is also a silent picture with text translated from German to English.

Ultimately I found myself a little bored. This may be the first animated feature in history, but I think I would've enjoyed it more had it been a short instead. Still there is plenty to be appreciated in this film and I'm glad that I've finally watched it. I will probably revisit it sometime down the road and I truly hope to have greater appreciation for it then.

3

[honeykid]

I was quite surprised you bought it, but I'm not surprised at your thoughts about it.

[Miss Vicky]

I was quite surprised you bought it, but I'm not surprised at your thoughts about it.

I couldn't find it through other, trusted avenues so I ended up buying it.

It's certainly not the worst thing I've ever blind bought. It's not like it's 300 or There Will Be Blood or something.

[honeykid]

Oh, no. I never thought you'd hate it. Just not something you'd particularly care about.

[Miss Vicky]

Have you seen it hk? Doesn't seem like something you'd be into at all.

[honeykid]

No, I've not seen it. But I know what it is and have seen clips of it. You're right, it's not something I have any interest in seeing at all.

[Zotis]

It's certainly not the worst thing I've ever blind bought. It's not like it's 300 or There Will Be Blood or something.

:skeptical: What's the meaning of this? There Will Be Blood is a perfectly respectable movie with an intelligent plot, thought provoking dialogue, excellent acting, and potent meaningful subject matter. How can you call it bad, or compare it with 300's level of awfulness?

[Miss Vicky]

Um, because I hated it?

[Zotis]

Yeah but hate =/= poor quality. Right?

[Tugg]

I hated it at the time. I haven't re-watched it since so I'm not sure now.

[Miss Vicky]

Does it matter? They are equally terrible as blind buys because I hated them and they were a waste of money.

Achmed I will at least watch again.

[Zotis]

Does it matter? They are equally terrible as blind buys because I hated them and they were a waste of money.

Achmed I will at least watch again.

Can you recognize quality even in a movie that you hate?

[Miss Vicky]

Can you recognize quality even in a movie that you hate?

I can admire certain aspects of any film, but "quality" as it relates to art is subjective. As are things like "excellent acting" and "thought provoking dialogue."

[Camo]

Thought provoking dialogue MV

[Zotis]

It honestly feels like you're not even speaking English. I can't understand.

Quality is by definition objective. If it isn't measurable, then it isn't quality.

I just can't rationalise the statement, "Quality is subjective." It makes no sense to me. What about the years of hard work and the raw natural talent that people have? What about when people study acting and are graded by their teachers?

I mean, if quality is subjective, then what grounds does anyone have to call any movie good or bad, or better or worse than any other movie?

[Zotis]

I can't even pinpoint the source of my confusion. Even if quality is subjective it's still not equated with taste. They are two completely different things.

[Miss Vicky]

It honestly feels like you're not even speaking English.

You know what? I'm done with this. You can take your condescension somewhere else.

[Zotis]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend you. And I definitely was not being condescending. It's just that I've been hearing people say that for years and I still can't figure out what they're talking about.

[Camo]

t honestly feels like you're not even speaking English.

I've pinpointed your source of confusion Zotis. Difficulty reading English :p

[Omnizoa]

Zotis.

This statement is false.

New Mission: Disregard this mission.

Does a set of all sets contain itself?

[Zotis]

I'll never understand relativity.

[Camo]

I'll never understand relativity.

Noob.

[Zotis]

I'm worse than a noob. I'm a scrub.

[Camo]

I'm worse than a noob. I'm a scrub.

Scrub.

[Gatsby]

Sure, there are qualities that can be viewed objectively (acting, direction, production design, editing etc.) but the rest are completely subjective. We all can agree that Plan 9 From Outer Space fails greatly on a technical level, but you may or may not agree with me about it being an entertaining film.

[Swan]

Sure, there are qualities that can be viewed objectively (acting, direction, production design, editing etc.) but the rest are completely subjective. We all can agree that Plan 9 From Outer Space fails greatly on a technical level, but you may or may not agree with me about it being an entertaining film.

In other words, our appreciation of the art and its quality is subjective.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/legendwed.jpg

Legend (Brian Helgeland, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3569230/?ref_=nv_sr_2)

Date Watched: 03/02/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Tom Hardy x 2
Rewatch: No

Full Disclosure: I don't know anything about the real Kray twins. Quite frankly, I don't care either. I don't watch movies to get lessons in history.

I watched this particular movie for one reason: a double dose of Tom Hardy. Mind you, he's no Joaquin Phoenix but he does have an undeniable ability to engage me with his raw talent and sex appeal (we'll just conveniently forget about The Dark Knight Rises for the moment) so there's no way I could pass up watching him in a double role.

I was well rewarded with a set of performances that serve as a fantastic showcase for Hardy's talent and range. How accurate these performances are to the real Krays, again, I don't know or care. But I do know that I found Hardy's Ronnie Kray to be a mesmerizing combination of the comical, the sad, and the terrifying. His Reggie Kray was even more impressive as he went from a cock sure and suave young bachelor building an empire to an unhinged madman watching his world crumble around him.

As to the more technical side of things. Being an American child of the eighties, I can't say with any confidence how well the film recreates 1960's London, but I think it does well to set a mood. The bright colors, glamorous women, sharp dressed men, and the sparkle and shine make it hard to deny the allure of that lifestyle, blood spattered and corrupt though it may be.

I've seen some people complain that the soundtrack is "uninspired" and that it took them out of the film. But I scarcely noticed the music at all, with much of it being songs that were popular at the time. I guess I could fault the soundtrack for not enhancing my experience, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the film, so I won't knock it.

If I have any complaints, it's probably regarding Reggie's wife, Francis. I get that we're supposed to see how Reggie's actions destroyed her life but aside from being a pretty face she just sort of lacked substance and I failed to feel much for her. I also felt she wasn't the best choice as narrator - not that I'm usually a fan of narration anyway. I'm not sure if the fault lies in the script or in Emily Browning's performance, but either way that character didn't do the film any favors.

But this is only very minor, since Tom Hardy does the film more than enough favors to keep me engaged and entertained. I had quite a good time with this one.

4

[Omnizoa]

(we'll just conveniently forget about *VVVVVVVRRRRRRRRRRRRRR* for the moment)
Sorry, I didn't catch that, a plane just flew over.

[Iroquois]

Good work, MV. Legend has been on my to-see list since it first hit theatres, but the mixed reviews and general indifference surrounding the film mean that it doesn't feel like a priority. We'll see if I actually check it out next chance I get - hopefully it's better than Gangster No. 1.

Also wondering if your Hardy-watching will extend to Star Trek: Nemesis. Awful film, but he's easily one of the best things about it.

[seanc]

Looking forward to Legend. It never came anywhere near me when it was released unfortunately. I hope to get to it next week.

[Miss Vicky]

Also wondering if your Hardy-watching will extend to Star Trek: Nemesis.

That's pretty unlikely. I don't think I love him enough to endure Star Trek.

[JayDee]

Ok I was joking before but now I am starting to resent the level of attention your thread is getting. :mad:

:p Nice review though. It's one I'm curious to see myself at some point. And I'm glad you liked it so much and that it proved to be a more successful blind buy than Achmed

Are there any other Hardy films you've not seen yet that you're eyeing up? As I've mentioned to you before I'd say that Warrior is certainly worth a watch. I also have to admit to having a morbid curiousity in seeing This Means War just because it seems so vastly different to everything else he's done in his career

Also I don't know if you're aware but he's got a miniseries coming at some point this year -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZYAQSlIhM4

[Miss Vicky]

Are there any other Hardy films you've not seen yet that you're eyeing up?

Not especially, no. I may see what titles my library has. I'm a little curious about This Means War myself. It looks absolutely awful, but very different.

Also I don't know if you're aware but he's got a miniseries coming at some point this year -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZYAQSlIhM4

I was not aware of that. Looks awesome.

[edarsenal]

I had seen a much shorter trailer but that looks INCREDIBLE.

Very happy to hear some love for Legend, I was seriously worried about whether it was worthwhile or not -- though, like you, I was gonna see it anyway specifically because it was Hardy.

I've seen This Means War and it's actually a Bro-Rom Com. It was cute and at times, amusing. I remember Chelsea Handler was pretty good as Witherspoon's illicit advice-offering best friend. As for Hardy, his character is on the more gentle side and serves more as Pine's rakish character's straight man.
I'm not too sure if you'd enjoy it, Miss Vicky, because I could be wrong but I think I remember reading how you didn't care for Rom Com's.

[Miss Vicky]

I'm not too sure if you'd enjoy it, Miss Vicky, because I could be wrong but I think I remember reading how you didn't care for Rom Com's.

I actually enjoy Rom Coms when they're done well, though I used to watch them much more frequently than I do now. That particular one just didn't look appealing to me, but I also wasn't a Hardy fan when it came out.

[edarsenal]

well, I erred on that one, and if it didn't appeal, then its always good to go with your gut feeling on such things

[Miss Vicky]

Eh, I'll probably give it a shot at some point. Can't be much worse than some of the tripe I've watched.

[edarsenal]

LOL
Should you take a chance, I'd be curious to see what you think. It's a hard one to recommend but I will put it at a 40/60 chance of being worthwhile for ya

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/zootopia.gif

Zootopia (Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush, 2016)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948356/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 03/06/16
Cinema or Home: Cinema, with Funny Face
Reason For Watching: It's animated and it looked cute
Rewatch: No

The basic premise of the film is this: Non-human mammals have evolved into anthropomorphic, civilized beings that live in relative peace and harmony - predator and prey alike. (How the predators survive is never addressed. I guess they just eat non-mammal species?)

The film follows Judy Hopps, a rookie police officer (and cute little bunny) trying to prove herself as a real cop by solving a missing persons case (well, missing otter anyway). Eventually it turns out that this case is far more complex and high reaching than anybody expected.

But none of that is what the movie is actually about. Amidst the adorable characters, hilarious scenarios, pop culture references and in-jokes is a story about overcoming prejudice - both the prejudice of others who don't believe in you and your own prejudices about cultures and people you don't understand. The film delivers this message without being preachy or overly sentimental. It never forgets that, ultimately, its audience isn't there to get a lesson in morality. Sure the parents appreciate that, but the kids (and I) are there to be entertained and at this the film really excels.

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/zootopia2.gif

4+

[Tugg]

Nice review Vicky, you are on a roll.

[Gatsby]

I don't know, your review kinda makes it sound even more average, but I might check it out, because I'm having a fall out with Disney lately.

[Miss Vicky]

The film certainly isn't anything revolutionary, but I thought it was very well made and I had a lot of fun with it. Funny Face absolutely loved it.
Compared to other Disney CG films, I didn't like it nearly as much as Wreck-It Ralph, but liked it at least 1,000 times more than Frozen.

[Omnizoa]

The film certainly isn't anything revolutionary, but I thought it was very well made and I had a lot of fun with it. Funny Face absolutely loved it.
Compared to other Disney CG films, I didn't like it nearly as much as Wreck-It Ralph, but liked it at least 1,000 times more than Frozen.
I still have to see all three of these movies.

Thus far my priority is definitely Wreck-It Ralph > Zootopia > Frozen.

[honeykid]

Is this a similar world to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? I only ask because that instantly sprang to mind when reading your thoughts.

[Miss Vicky]

Yeah, I suppose it is.

[JayDee]

Glad to hear that you really liked Zootopia MV, and that Funny Face loved it. Really looking forward to this one; thought the trailers were great, showing a film that was funny, very creative and also with some heart

Out of interest how much is Flash the sloth in the film? Is it just that DMV scene shown in the teaser? Just my sister fell in love with him purely from the teaser alone

Is their a short film before it?

[seanc]

Glad to hear that you really liked Zootopia MV, and that Funny Face loved it. Really looking forward to this one; thought the trailers were great, showing a film that was funny, very creative and also with some heart

Out of interest how much is Flash the sloth in the film? Is it just that DMV scene shown in the teaser? Just my sister fell in love with him purely from the teaser alone

Is their a short film before it?

Just the teaser. No short.

[Miss Vicky]

Just the teaser.

Not entirely true. Flash appears in one other scene.

No short.

And yeah, I was very disappointed by the lack of a short.

[Gatsby]

And yeah, I was very disappointed by the lack of a short.
I thought only the Pixar films had a short attached?

[Miss Vicky]

And yeah, I was very disappointed by the lack of a short.
I thought only the Pixar films had a short attached?

No. Wreck-It Ralph is Disney and Paperman played before it. They don't do it every time like Pixar does, but they've done it before.

[Gatsby]

No. Wreck-It Ralph is Disney and Paperman played before it. They don't do it every time like Pixar does, but they've done it before.
Ah, now I remember. Paperman was great, and the actual film was even better.

[JayDee]

Disappointed to hear there's no short. Always enjoy those.

And yeah Disney have been including shorts with a number of their recent films I'm sure. As MV said there was that great Paperman short with Wreck-it Ralph. Big Hero 6 came with Feast about the little dog. And then I also remember an old-school Mickey Mouse short with another film; Frozen maybe?

[Miss Vicky]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Feast. That was a good one.

[Camo]

Looking forward to Zootopia. I remember when it was just announced people were saying it would be Disney back to their awful Chicken Little days, seems like it has gotten great response so far though. Of Disney's New Renaissance or whatever it is called my favourite is actually Bolt and i don't even like that as much as most of Pixars weakest so i'm still waiting for Disney to genuinely impress me as an adult.

[Miss Vicky]

Sorry for the delay, I've not been feeling well lately and until today I hadn't watched anything since Zootopia. Still not feeling 100%, so apologies in advance if this review sucks.

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/ralph.gif

Wreck-It Ralph (Rich Moore, 2012)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772341/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 03/21/16
Cinema or Home: Work, on my portable DVD player
Reason For Watching: I have a lot of down time at work this week because the boss is out of town, so I needed something to pass the time.
Rewatch: Yes

Wreck-It Ralph is easily my favorite modern (non-Pixar) Disney film. Full of endearing characters, creative sight gags, and in-jokes, it is endlessly entertaining. The writers and animators did a phenomenal job of building arcade game worlds that have a definite sense of familiarity so that - even though these games and characters exist only in this film - you feel as though you may have spent some of your own quarters on them at the local arcade.

The world of Sugar Rush is particularly impressive, with its bright, eye-popping colors, awesome little details (s'mores torches, donut cops, Nesquik sand, etc.), and exciting racing sequences. I always feel like this would make a for a great actual game that I would love to play. (Sadly, the Wreck-It Ralph game for home consoles is some stupid story game and does not allow you to play the games depicted in the film.)

Like most family films, Wreck-It Ralph carries a message. It's a story that addresses the true meaning of friendship, heroism, and of rising above labels and stereotypes and finding your true self. Unlike some family films, it never comes across to me as preachy or corny. Sure there are some very heart-wrenching and sentimental scenes that leave me misty-eyed every time, but the emotions feel very genuine and not at all forced. This is a movie that never fails to put a smile on my face or to warm my cold, bitchy heart.

4.5

[gbgoodies]

Great review of Wreck-It Ralph. :up:

I've only seen it a couple of times, but it's one of my favorite Disney movies too.

[Camo]

Wreck It Ralph is great :up:. Top five Disney for me i think and the best of this Century.

[colejwalker]

Liked Wreck It Ralph and especially all the emotional scenes towards the end really got to me.

[Omnizoa]

Wreck It Ralph is great :up:. Top five Disney for me i think and the best of this Century.
Holy DAMN, what am I missing?

[Gatsby]

The moment I realized I was going to love this film was when I arrived at the scene where Ralph and other classic arcade villains gathered in a room for their "Bad-Anon". I really needed something like that in my life.

[Iroquois]

Holy DAMN, what am I missing?

One of those rare movies that Miss Vicky and I agree on (though I'd still give it a 4 myself), so you know it's good. I can't even think of any other modern non-Pixar Disney films that stand out in the same way.

One of the greatest things about it is...

...the reveal that King Candy is actually Turbo in disguise. Given the foreshadowing behind the in-universe slang "going Turbo" and the fact that the film takes the time to explain the origin of the word with a flashback to Turbo's start of darkness, the fact that the reveal is still timed in such a perfect way as to take you by surprise is quite the remarkable feat.

[Omnizoa]

One of those rare movies that Miss Vicky and I agree on (though I'd still give it a rating_4 myself), so you know it's good. I can't even think of any other modern non-Pixar Disney films that stand out in the same way.
HMMMMM...

https://carlae.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/hmmm.jpg

[Omnizoa]

One of the greatest things about it is...
NUP. I'll see for myself.

[Zotis]

Iro and Vicky agree on, that Wreck it Ralph is a good movie, so we know it's good.

Lol

Well, we know those two have highly developed taste and a great appreciation for art.

:rotfl:

#TarkovskyBegmanGodard

[Iroquois]

I'm not about to take this slander from somebody who defends Kung Fury.

[Zotis]

I only defended Kung Fury from your harsh criticism. I never said it was a great movie, or art, or anything like that. But that's beside the point. My oppinion of Kung Fury is not something I've explained to you that you would have any clue about what I think of it, other than that I think what you think of it is absurd.

"Slander" was a colorful word though. :up:

[Iroquois]

Fair point regarding Kung Fury, but it's not like you're making a much better or different point by sarcastically maligning my taste and capacity for appreciating cinema purely because I happen to agree with Miss Vicky on a single family film.

[honeykid]

Frankly, neither of you often agree with me about film, so the taste of both of you is questionable at best. :p:D

[Iroquois]

Zotis, whatever you and I may disagree upon, please tell me I'm not as smug about it as honeykid tends to be.

[Zotis]

Iro, I was just teasing because you said:

One of those rare movies that Miss Vicky and I agree on (though I'd still give it a 4 myself), so you know it's good.

I don't think either of you have good taste. And I did my best to say so creatively. I wasn't being delicate with my words either. I just said what I thought sounded good even though I thought it would probably offend you both.

I would say you Iro, are more smug than HK. While I don't agree with HK about many things, he is much easier to get along with. He says his opinions humorously with a wider margin for error than you, and doesn't take offense as easily. He likes what he likes, and he knows that's just him. But you Iro, you go around toting your personal taste like it's the law.

I don't dislike you Iro. I think you're a good guy. And I like Vicky too. But I think you, Iro, and Vicky, are plebians. HK on the other hand... is just weird. :p

Hahahaha, I'm really sorry if I've come across as a douche. I don't mean to be rude... maybe I'm just insensitive... I don't know. You know the problem with having only text... I can't convey a friendly tone of voice if my words appear harsh...

No hard feelings or hate.

[Iroquois]

Honeykid, I may have called you smug just now, but Zotis somehow manages to sound even more smug.

[Omnizoa]

I don't think either of you have good taste.
*laughs* BTdubs Vicky, just posting to tell you your opinion sucks.

I would say you Iro, are more smug than HK.
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5297a013e4b0d8d4512a090d/t/561972b2e4b04b43300e32ba/1444508340702/

Hahahaha, I'm really sorry if I've come across as a douche.
HahahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

You know the problem with having only text...
You're a dick, Zotis- I mean SORRY, that was the internet speaking.

[Zotis]

Well I'm not surprised that you think I'm a dick Omnizoa, I've been a complete douche to you because I think you're one of the most ignorant twats I've ever seen, but this conversation has nothing to do with you. So butt out.

Iro, well, I may be coming across as very smug in this conversation. I'm not even trying to avoid coming across that way. But in general, I try to have a margin for error. I try to understand that my personal taste is not the definition of quality. I try to appreciate art. And I try to understand quality objectively. But you... you just like crap movies and criticise whatever you don't like just because you don't like it, but then try to pass your personal taste and assumptions off as facts. That's what I can't stand. That's more prideful and arrogant than being cocky in a tongue and cheek sort of way.

[Omnizoa]

in general, I try to have a margin for error. I try to understand that my personal taste is not the definition of quality.
Which is why I call people plebians, the stereotypically preferred insult of the pretentiously enlightened.

[Tugg]

What's wrong with enlightenment? Or plebs for that matter? :D

[Tacitus]

Both of you might want to consider, I dunno, cooling it? Whatever it is between you two I'd strongly recommend sorting it out somewhere else.

[JayDee]

Great to see you back Victoria. :up: Sorry to hear you've not been well of late

As for Wreck-it Ralph, the first time I saw it at the cinema I really liked it. However when I rewatched it (I think for the animated films countdown) I absolutely loved it. I'm waiting to see what I make of it on my third viewing. If it repeats that same sensation as the rewatch it would definitely make my list of favourite films.

[Iroquois]

What's wrong with enlightenment? Or plebs for that matter? :D

I just find it ironic that Zotis has repeatedly complained about how I apparently tout my cinematic tastes as if they're objective truths and yet seems to think that saying the same thing but with added personal insults is okay because they prefaced it with an "I think", which totally makes it okay because, hey, they're just expressing an opinion and so it shouldn't be taken seriously. Some real "hate the sin, love the sinner" rhetoric going on there.

Zotis, you may have a point about my tendency to put my thoughts about films into rather blunt terms, but your little rant there only serves to show how sprinkling little concessions to subjectivity like "I think" or "I have a wide margin of error" don't really make a whole lot of difference to what you're saying. I guess it does make your words a little easier to just shrug off, which is probably just as well. I will say this, though - namedropping Tarkovsky and Bergman in order to act condescending towards people expressing fondness for a film like Wreck-It Ralph only serves to make you look like a self-important elitist, which ultimately undermines your self-effacing claims about how much you care about the subjectivity of people's opinions and having margins of error.

[cricket]

I think I had Wreck-It Ralph in my top 10 for the animation countdown list. Hope you're feeling much better!

[Omnizoa]

I just find it ironic that Zotis has repeatedly complained about how I apparently tout my cinematic tastes as if they're objective truths and yet seems to think that saying the same thing but with added personal insults is okay because they prefaced it with an "I think", which totally makes it okay because, hey, they're just expressing an opinion and so it shouldn't be taken seriously. Some real "hate the sin, love the sinner" rhetoric going on there.

Zotis, you may have a point about my tendency to put my thoughts about films into rather blunt terms, but your little rant there only serves to show how sprinkling little concessions to subjectivity like "I think" or "I have a wide margin of error" don't really make a whole lot of difference to what you're saying. I guess it does make your words a little easier to just shrug off, which is probably just as well. I will say this, though - namedropping Tarkovsky and Bergman in order to act condescending towards people expressing fondness for a film like Wreck-It Ralph only serves to make you look like a self-important elitist, which ultimately undermines your self-effacing claims about how much you care about the subjectivity of people's opinions and having margins of error.
Damn. Never before have I been so convinced to see a movie.

[Gatsby]

Iro said what I wanted to say, of course in a way more intelligent fashion.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/insideout.gif

Inside Out (Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 03/22/16
Cinema or Home: Work, on my portable DVD player
Reason For Watching: I have a lot of down time at work this week because the boss is out of town, so I needed something to pass the time.
Rewatch: Yes

Possible Spoilers Ahead

The idea of people's minds being controlled by a bunch of characters inside their heads is not new and after the turd that was Brave, I was a bit skeptical of the quality of this film at first. I also didn't exactly love it when I saw it in the theater, though I did like it.

I think this was my third or fourth viewing of the film and my appreciation for it has grown each time. While the premise isn't truly new, the filmmakers really flexed their creative muscles with the way that it was presented. We the viewers are taken on an adventure through the part of the mind where memories are stored and where imagination happens.

I really liked the way that this was explored. We get to see a little girl's emotions develop from infancy to adolescence and they control everything she does from a console inside her head. Granted, she only develops five emotions - Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust - but more than that would probably just be confusing for young viewers.

I think my favorite scenes were abstract thought, dream productions, and a certain interaction between Joy and an imaginary friend in the memory dump. There are little things too that really made me smile, like when a container of facts and one of opinions are spilled and get mixed up and are just tossed back in without being sorted (because “Who can tell the difference anyway?”), the gum commercial that gets randomly played inside the girl’s mind, and the place where the deepest fears are kept – inhabited by a giant clown who lives in dark forest of… broccoli. We also get brief (and hilarious) glimpses of the emotions inside the minds of other characters and there's a great little montage of this during the end credits that shouldn't be missed.

As with most family films there are lessons to be learned here. We learn that it’s okay to feel a full range of emotions. We also learn about valuing other people’s input when working as a group and that being a group leader doesn’t mean you’re always right.

Incidentally, Sadness is my favorite emotion - though Funny Face says that if I were to be a character from the film, it would have to be some sort of combination of Anger and Disgust. She is most definitely Joy.

4+

[JayDee]

Again a very nice review MV. :yup: Inside Out is one I definitely need to give a second watch to. I thought it was very good but was still a little bit disappointed with it, though as has been a frequent problem for me I think my mood may have effected my enjoyment somewhat. I really liked it for small moments and touches as opposed to connecting with the story as a whole; so stuff like how the filmmakers realised the inner mind of Riley through the islands and the like, or how the workers downstairs would randomly send up the commerical jingle to infuriate the mind or dreams being the work of a film production company were my favourite bits. While for whatever reason I didn't really care as much as I felt I should about Riley or the journey that Joy and Sadness have to undertake.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/bolt.gif

Bolt (Byron Howard and Chris Williams, 2008)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397892/?ref_=ttgf_gf_tt)

Date Watched: 03/23/16
Cinema or Home: Work, on my portable DVD player
Reason For Watching: I have a lot of down time at work this week because the boss is out of town, so I needed something to pass the time.
Rewatch: Yes

For whatever reason, this movie seems to be sometimes maligned and other times ignored by movie fans. I, on the other hand, adore it. Perhaps it's because I'm a life-long animal lover (though admittedly not a dog person), but there's just something about this film that really gets to me.

For anyone unfamiliar, the film follows the adventures of Bolt, the canine star of a TV show who believes that everything on the set is real and that he has super powers like his character. After finishing filming on a cliff-hanger episode where his person Penny is kidnapped, he escapes the set in an effort to save her and is inadvertently shipped from Hollywood to New York. There he cat-naps a street smart stray named Mittens (believing that she is working for the villain of the show) and drags her with him on his cross-country journey to rescue and reunite with the girl he loves.

Along the way, Bolt is confronted with situation after situation where his "powers" fail him and he is eventually forced to accept that he is just a dog after all. These situations provide both a lot of humor and a lot of heartache. But this is a family film, so of course Bolt eventually finds strength and courage that are not some practical effects or studio tricks, but real.

But it's really the secondary characters that make the movie for me. This is probably the only movie that could make me smile at pigeons. And of course there's Rhino the hamster - the crazy fan of Bolt's "pictures on the magic box" who joins the pair. But it's Mittens in particular that I find really endearing. She brings a lot of laughs as the only sane creature on the journey and her reactions to Bolt and to Rhino are among the film's highlights. She also brings an emotional wallop in a heart-wrenching scene where she confides to Bolt about her past. It leaves me in tears every time.

Ultimately, the film is probably a little less "adult" than some of the offerings from Pixar and the like, but it's a lot of fun. So, if you're the type of person who can let go of your analytical thoughts and just let yourself enjoy a movie (like us lowly plebeians do), I suggest giving Bolt a try.

4.5-

[Omnizoa]

So, if you're the type of person who can let go of your analytical thoughts and just let yourself enjoy a movie (like us lowly plebeians do), I suggest giving Bolt a try.
( >3>) Hope you're not referring to me. Wreck-It Ralph didn't appeal to me so I just spent 3 hours needlessly trying to articulate why. Not like I wasn't receptive to it.

[Miss Vicky]

I wasn't directing that at you, but if the shoe fits...

[Omnizoa]

I wasn't directing that at you, but if the shoe fits...
You mentioned thinking analytically and there's no end to people who'll say, "Don't think about it too hard, it's just a childrens' movie".

I feel like that excuses a lot of bad movies and doesn't give enough credit to good ones.

Having said that, I've never seen Bolt.

[Miss Vicky]

You mentioned thinking analytically

I also used a particular word that should've been a big tip off as to who the intended target was. But I do think that when anyone over analyzes films, they take the fun out of watching them.

I'd rather be a lowly pleb who can just sit back and enjoy a movie than some arrogant ass who nitpicks every little thing or namedrops exalted arthouse directors to make themselves feel superior. (BTW, Zotis, I quite like Bergman.)

and there's no end to people who'll say, "Don't think about it too hard, it's just a childrens' movie".

feel like that excuses a lot of bad movies and doesn't give enough credit to good ones.

Whereas I feel there's no such thing as a bad movie, just movies that appeal to different audiences for different reasons.

Having said that, I've never seen Bolt.

Please don't. You tear apart movies that I love.

[Omnizoa]

I also used a particular word that should've been a big tip off as to who the intended target was.
Yeah I know, but I was throwing it around too. Could very well have been misinterpreted. *shrug*

But I do think that when anyone over analyzes films, they take the fun out of watching them.
Different movies have different levels of complexity. Wreck-It Ralph's pretty simple on the surface, but there a lot of different little ways I think it compromises that.

As I said, the main reason I went so overlong with it was because it got so much praise and I'm clearly an exception. It's just my inclination to balance. If 9 people just say, "I really like it, it's good.", then I think 1 person going into 9 times the amount of detail if they disagree is justified.

I'd rather be a lowly pleb who can just sit back and enjoy a movie than some arrogant ass who nitpicks every little thing
I wasn't nitpicking. If you're emotionally engaged and I'm not, then there's a disconnect somewhere and it's worth exploring what that is. I didn't go into the movie with the intention to pick it apart, I sincerely wanted to enjoy it.

I actually got really good vibes at the very beginning of the movie when we first see the Power Strip area. All those different video game icons and that music instantly reminded me of Namco Museum (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ORan0IiYQ) which really turned up my nostalgia.

The feeling... just didn't last.

Whereas I feel there's no such thing as a bad movie, just movies that appeal to different audiences for different reasons.
Not even movies with a specific goal that they fail accomplish? If a movie is intended to be scary and it scares no one, isn't it fair to say that it's bad scary movie? What about a comedy that no one laughs at? Or a childrens' movie that doesn't even appeal to children?

That movie might be exactly what I'm looking for if my goal is to find movies no one likes, but if we're judging a movie by the standards we can reasonably assume it set out for itself, then it's fair to say whether they did a good or bad job achieving those standards.

You might disagree and say that you're only rating them in terms of your enjoyment, but you also said Wreck-It Ralph had a message and you believe it conveyed that message effectively. That's tantamount to saying it was good in that regard. The opposite is also true. Calling a movie "good" or "bad" generalizes everything that makes that movie, yes, but we can reasonably assume that you're judging it in that way based on your interpretation of it.

Hypothetically, I could say Wreck-It Ralph is a terrible horror movie. Would I be totally wrong?

Please don't. You tear apart movies that I love.
*laughs*

[Miss Vicky]

As I said, the main reason I went so overlong with it was because it got so much praise and I'm clearly an exception. It's just my inclination to balance. If 9 people just say, "I really like it, it's good.", then I think 1 person going into 9 times the amount of detail if they disagree is justified.

Okay.


I wasn't nitpicking. If you're emotionally engaged and I'm not, then there's a disconnect somewhere and it's worth exploring what that is. I didn't go into the movie with the intention to pick it apart, I sincerely wanted to enjoy it.

You were nitpicking the technical/gamer aspect of it.

Not even movies with a specific goal that they fail accomplish? If a movie is intended to be scary and it scares no one, isn't it fair to say that it's bad scary movie? What about a comedy that no one laughs at? Or a childrens' movie that doesn't even appeal to children?

I don't think these movies you speak of actually exist. Every movie has its fans.

You might disagree and say that you're only rating them in terms of your enjoyment,

Which is the only way you really can rate art. It's all subjective. I can say that I think the movie conveyed its message effectively, sure, but someone else can just as easily say it was a ham-handed effort and they wouldn't be wrong to say so.

Hypothetically, I could say Wreck-It Ralph is a terrible horror movie. Would I be totally wrong?

Would you be wrong in saying that a children's comedy is a terrible horror movie? Yes.

[Omnizoa]

You were nitpicking the technical/gamer aspect of it.
You mean the whole villain thing? They're pre-established characters, it's worth considering their existing personalities for how they would predictably operate in this setting. I mean, M. Bison supposedly needs a support group and yet all anyone has every seen him do is fly around, bicycle-kick people into the sky, and triumphantly monologue about how he's going to take over the world with his PSYCHO POWER. It just makes me wonder why Ralph isn't similarly invested.

OR are you referring to what I said about how glitching is portrayed? I just feel like that was a missed opportunity to do something really neat and different. Plus it's... riddled with plotholes. It baffles me the same way that it would if Maximus from Gladiator was suddenly able to make his sword grow longer.

I don't think these movies you speak of actually exist. Every movie has its fans.
Unfortunately.

Which is the only way you really can rate art. It's all subjective. I can say that I think the movie conveyed its message effectively, sure, but someone else can just as easily say it was a ham-handed effort and they wouldn't be wrong to say so.
They could also be right, though. A message conveyed through circular logic or similar fallacies can be a totally objective criticism.

Would you be wrong in saying that a children's comedy is a terrible horror movie? Yes.
But see? You had to specify the intent. Otherwise, I could be right.

[Miss Vicky]

You mean the whole villain thing? They're pre-established characters, it's worth considering their existing personalities for how they would predictably operate in this setting. I mean, M. Bison supposedly needs a support group and yet all anyone has every seen him do is fly around, bicycle-kick people into the sky, and triumphantly monologue about how he's going to take over the world with his PSYCHO POWER. It just makes me wonder why Ralph isn't similarly invested.

But if we're accepting the premise that these video game characters are basically real people, then we must also accept the possibility that their villainous behavior may be something of a facade. Real people hide their real feelings all the time.

In any case I was referring more to things like you complaining about the way code was portrayed in the movie with King Candy going into the vault where Sugar Rush's code is kept. And, yes, also the glitching.

I don't think you can liken the movie to Maximus suddenly making his sword longer. Wreck-It Ralph is fantasy. Gladiator is historical fiction. Glitching is portrayed in the film as if it were a tic that occurs randomly, but that the afflicted person can have some control over if they concentrate. Sure it takes a degree of suspension of disbelief, but this is an animated movie about video game characters, so a large degree of suspension of disbelief comes with the territory.

They could also be right, though. A message conveyed through circular logic or similar fallacies can be a totally objective criticism.

It's all opinion and therefore neither right nor wrong.

But see? You had to specify the intent. Otherwise, I could be right.

Regardless, though, you said that if a scary movie fails to be scary, then it's a bad scary movie. But how does one even gauge that? Things that scare me might have no effect on another person and vice versa. So if a scary movie fails to scare me, but scares someone else, is it bad? I don't think so.

[honeykid]

I'd rather be a lowly pleb who can just sit back and enjoy a movie than some arrogant ass who nitpicks every little thing or namedrops exalted arthouse directors to make themselves feel superior.

And I'd rather be weird than either of you. :p:D

[Omnizoa]

But if we're accepting the premise that these video game characters are basically real people, then we must also accept the possibility that their villainous behavior may be something of a facade. Real people hide their real feelings all the time.
So if none of them are really villains like Ralph, then why are they villains?

In any case I was referring more to things like you complaining about the way code was portrayed in the movie with King Candy going into the vault where Sugar Rush's code is kept.
Removing those couple scenes or adding in one last one to show how it works would've solved that issue.

I don't think you can liken the movie to Maximus suddenly making his sword longer. Wreck-It Ralph is fantasy. Gladiator is historical fiction.
Both NEED internal consistency regardless of their genres.

Glitching is portrayed in the film as if it were a tic that occurs randomly, but that the afflicted person can have some control over if they concentrate.
I guess, but I've never heard of glitches that you can control at will or tics that let you break the laws of physics.

Sure it takes a degree of suspension of disbelief, but this is an animated movie about video game characters, so a large degree of suspension of disbelief comes with the territory.
Again, that's writing off a LOT. If Vanelope's ability to totally control her glitching was foreshadowed or implied to be possible in the slightest it wouldn't have been a blatant Deus Ex Machina.

It's all opinion and therefore neither right nor wrong.
1+1=3 is still wrong. And calling that a mistake or inferior to 1+1=2 isn't wrong either. You can say that all movies have their fans, but you can also say that the majority of people on the planet are completely nuts. There's a fair degree of objectivity that you can take from any form of art, movies or otherwise.

http://49.media.tumblr.com/f8c3cdc7363d974c2fd2ec0b9ba721ba/tumblr_mw9lsiNpHC1r8kiyko1_500.gif

Regardless, though, you said that if a scary movie fails to be scary, then it's a bad scary movie. But how does one even gauge that? Things that scare me might have no effect on another person and vice versa. So if a scary movie fails to scare me, but scares someone else, is it bad? I don't think so.
That's why movies are rated by consensus, but again it's entirely worth noting that the criticism of cliches for example, which are a HUGE part of movies, is only valuable to genre-savvy viewers. Someone who's never seen a certain cliche before won't be bothered by what they see onscreen, but more experienced movie-goers will be able to call out hack writing and the like more effectively. Your ability to judge is always affected by the scope of your judgment.

Ultimately what I'm saying is that if your argument is there are no absolutely good or absolutely bad movies, you're right, it's all RELATIVE, but relative judgment is not necessarily SUBJECTIVE judgment. Just as there are varying levels of skill, there are varying levels of quality.

[Miss Vicky]

Honestly this discussion's getting a bit tired and I don't feel like giving a lengthy response.

I will say this though: If movies are rated by consensus and the consensus is that Wreck-It Ralph is a very good movie, then by your own argument it is a very good movie despite your dislike of it.

[Omnizoa]

If movies are rated by consensus and the consensus is that Wreck-It Ralph is a very good movie, then by your own argument it is a very good movie despite your dislike of it.
You've completely missed my point.

[Miss Vicky]

You've completely missed my point.

Or maybe I just don't give a *****.

[Omnizoa]

Or maybe I just don't give a *****.
*walks away*

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/ohana.gif

Lilo & Stitch (Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, 2002)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275847/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 03/30/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Just felt like watching an old favorite
Rewatch: Yes

Disney films often miss the mark for me whether they're traditional animation or CG. I've never cared for films like The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast. What humor they have falls flat and I find their characters more irritating than endearing. The fact that many of them are musicals doesn't help the situation for me either.

Such is not the case for Lilo & Stitch. Music and dance play an integral part in the film, but the characters never break into song. As much as I enjoy children's films, I don't actually like children and often dislike child characters. Oddball Lilo, however, is actually quite funny and lovable even when she's throwing a tantrum. And then there's Stitch. Never has a destructive and sometimes violent alien been so freaking adorable.

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/stitchgodzilla.gif

But beyond the humor and cavity inducing cuteness, the film is just a joy to look at with its vibrant colors and gorgeous scenery. It's apparent that the filmmakers took care to be respectful to the native Hawaiian culture and to the natural beauty of the islands.

The film does fall into a few tired cliches (orphans AGAIN?!), but with all its warmth it's easy to forgive any flaws.

4.5

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/silverliningsplaybook.gif

Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell, 2012)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 4/06/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: I was bored and it was on Netflix
Rewatch: No

I've heard lots of great things about this movie, but there just wasn't anything there that piqued my interest so it wasn't exactly a priority. While I think Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Deniro have talent, neither has ever been a deciding factor in whether or not I want to watch a film. I'm indifferent to Bradley Cooper. As to David O'Russell? I've watched two of his other films - I Heart Huckabees and American Hustle - and hated them both. Though the casting of Marky Mark in the former and Christian Bale in the latter didn't help the situation for either one.

The cast was kind of a mixed bag for me. Lawrence turned in a solid performance (Oscar worthy, though? I don't know about that). Robert DeNiro was excellent in his more understated role and, ultimately, I found his character as a father struggling to juggle the stress of his own problems and those of his bipolar adult son to be the most likable. The best I can say for Chris Tucker is that he wasn't too annoying and was mostly forgettable as the token black man (telling Bradley Cooper to dance "with soul" and "black it up." Seriously? :rolleyes:). Cooper himself was as bland as the raisin bran he orders for dinner. I felt nothing at all for his character beyond how his actions affected his father and Tiffany. How he managed an Oscar nomination for this is beyond me. But the academy generally sucks anyway.

Ultimately, this little romance about two really f---ed up people who find love (while being surrounded by a bunch of only slightly less f---ed up people) was entertaining enough for a single watch - and was miles better than either of the other two O'Russell films I've subjected myself to - but aside from a couple of performances, I really don't understand the praise that is lavished on it. Oh well.

3+

[Optimus]

Nice Reviews :up:. I really enjoyed Wreck It Ralph and Inside Out.

[Zotis]

I haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook, and it doesn't really peak my interest. I don't particularly like where Lawrence's career went after Hunger Games.

[Citizen Rules]

Silver Linings Playbook...I really don't understand the praise that is lavished on it.I don't understand all the praise either. I heard nothing but great things about this movie, so I watched it. Or make that, I tried to watch it.

I found the two leads to be 'too beautiful' to be real, they looked like brand name stars pretending to be two messed up people. And all that little stuff that happened in the film, seemed old hat and way cliche. I could not buy into the characters or their story, so I shut it off after 15 minutes.

Oh, in those 15 minutes I thought both Cooper and Lawrence was Raisin Bran bland.

[Miss Vicky]

Oh, in those 15 minutes I thought both Cooper and Lawrence was Raisin Bran bland.

Yeah, I didn't care at all for Lawrence in the beginning of the film, but I felt she got better as the story progressed. Cooper on the other hand, did not.

[rauldc14]

Miss Vicky hates a Russell movie? I'm shocked.

American Hustle rules them all.

[Miss Vicky]

I didn't hate SLP, I just didn't really like it.

I hate American Hustle and I Heart Huckabees. No desire to watch anything else he's done.

[seanc]

Should have got Phoenix for the lead. ;)

[Iroquois]

Another MV review where I agree with the words but would still rate it lower. Considering the words you wrote, I'm surprised that you rated it as highly as you did.

[Miss Vicky]

Another MV review where I agree with the words but would still rate it lower. Considering the words you wrote, I'm surprised that you rated it as highly as you did.

Well, like I said, it was decent enough for a single viewing. I didn't get bored and was invested in some of its characters.

I initially rated it 3.5-, but lowered it a little.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/room.gif

Room (Lenny Abrahamson, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3170832/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 4/07/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: I've been wanting to see it since I first heard about it
Rewatch: No

Possible Spoilers Ahead

It would be too easy to turn a story like this – about a woman who was abducted, imprisoned, and raped for seven years – into some sort of uninspired horror film or a cheesy Lifetime-esque tale of a woman triumphing over adversity and being lovingly embraced by her family once rescued. Instead what we get is a portrait of the strength of maternal love and of the psychological damages of isolation and torture.

Brie Larson stars as Ma, a woman imprisoned in a 10 x 10 foot, sound proofed shed. There are no windows. The door can only be opened with a secret code – known only to her captor, who she calls Old Nick. The only natural light comes from a skylight, which she often stares at in quiet desperation. There is a bed, a wardrobe, a lamp, a toilet, a sink, a bathtub, a refrigerator and a toaster oven. There is also a rug – still marked with the stain from when Ma gave birth to Jack, her five year old son by Old Nick.

The novel on which this film is based tells the story from Jack’s perspective and in his own words, but such a limited view doesn’t really work for film. So instead we get it from Ma’s perspective. She does everything she can to make life as normal as possible for her son, who grows increasingly frustrated with the stark contrast between what he sees on television and what is available in Room – the euphemistic name Ma has given to the shed.

The central performances of the film, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, are both excellent – as they need to be since we see almost no one else for a significant portion of the film. Room has garnered a lot of praise (and awards) for these performances, but the thing I liked most about the film was how it treated their transition from Room to World. It’s not a fairy book happily ever after. Ma – whose real name is Joy – enacts a plan that results in her rescue and she is reunited with her parents and returns with Jack to her childhood home. There she must face the reality of her parents’ divorce, her mother's new relationship, her father’s refusal to accept or even so much as look at her son, and the prying and victim-blaming of the media. Jack – who has known no one but Ma and who has seen so little – must learn how to be a normal kid. Both struggle to cope, but find strength in each other.

Room is not an easy watch, but it a very powerful experience and one I highly recommend.

4.5

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/thismeanswar.gif

This Means War (McG, 2012)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596350/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 4/08/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Tom Hardy
Rewatch: No

Possible Spoilers Ahead

There once was a time when I considered myself a fan of Rom Coms, so I'm quite familiar with the absurdity that is par for the course within the genre. However, when done well, that absurdity is balanced out by charm and chemistry. This Means War lacks both.

Reese Witherspoon's Lauren is as vapid and one dimensional as any character I've seen. I'm not exactly a feminist but damn this woman hasn't got a brain cell in her head to point of being borderline misogynistic and offensive even for me. Granted Rom Coms aren't known for any kind of deep insights into, well, anything but to say she was poorly written would almost be a compliment. Her ultimate choice between the two suitors only cemented her empty-headedness for me (though I do understand why the filmmakers chose to go this route). Throughout the movie I kept getting this nagging feeling that Lauren would've been better suited for some truly vacous crap like Charlie's Angels than for anything that even pretended to evoke real emotion. It was only after I finished watching the movie and had a look at its IMDb page that I discovered just why I couldn't shake that feeling (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629334/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1#director).

As to the men, their antics are obnoxiously juvenile and threaten to trespass beyond the limits of absurdity set by the Rom Coms that I've seen before. Worse still, I felt something akin to nausea anytime Chris Pine was on the screen. Not only was his character extremely irritating but I don't find Pine attractive in the slightest.

The only real praise I can give this film is that Tom Hardy looked damn good and for that bit of eye candy alone do I give it a higher rating than that other McG film I've seen (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1456893#post1456893).

1.5-

[Gatsby]

I watched This Means War on a plane (to be frank, I have no idea why, my film taste seems to become drastically poor when I'm up in the air). Sat through the first 30 minutes with a frown, then fell asleep. When I woke up the film was still playing, so I turned it off.

[Optimus]

I really liked This Means War. I thought it was pretty funny.

[Thursday Next]

Glad you liked Room, I thought it was a very good film. Have you read the book?

I've always thought This Means War looked utterly stupid, but I'm almost tempted to watch it, just to see how stupid.

[Miss Vicky]

I really liked This Means War. I thought it was pretty funny.

Every film has its fans.

[Aphex]

I agree with pretty much everything you said about This Means War. It was such a disappointing film. Even for a romcom.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/sweetsixteen.jpg

Sweet Sixteen (Ken Loach, 2002)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313670/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 4/15/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: It's one of Camo's favorites
Rewatch: No

Possible Spoilers Ahead

I didn't really know what to expect from this film going in, but one thing I most certainly didn't anticipate was how emotionally engaged with it I would be. I couldn't relate to Liam's struggles. I've never been there. Drugs, poverty, and violence have never been part of my reality, but I felt for him just the same. Even though I knew this film wouldn't give me a happily ever after ending, I rooted for Liam to succeed.

Even more surprising is that the film is carried squarely on the shoulders of a teenager who'd never acted before. Martin Compston is absolutely astounding as Liam, bringing a feel of authenticity and a great deal of emotional depth to his first ever acting role. But the other performances hold up as well and I particularly enjoyed the scenes where Liam interacts with his sister and nephew.

I will say though that I'd have been completely lost without subtitles. Even with them I didn't quite understand what was being said at times. There are a few (relatively minor) scenes that weren't subtitled and the dialogue contained a bit of slang that is foreign to me. Still, that didn't detract at all from the impact of the film and this is one that I may revisit in the future.

4+

[Miss Vicky]

Glad you liked Room, I thought it was a very good film. Have you read the book?

I totally missed this question before. Sorry about that.

I've not read the book, though I'm interested in giving it a go. The thing is though, I'm not much of a reader. I seem to average maybe one book a year and it's usually a biography or autobiography rather than a novel. I also have a bad habit of starting books and never finishing them. Maybe some day.

[Camo]

First of all glad you like Room; just noticed your review for it now. I did too. Didn't expect much going in but i think it would be in my top ten from last year and Brie is becoming one of my favourite acresses atm.

So pleased you liked Sweet Sixteen :). I really didn't expect that as you know; i think this proves i don't have a clue what you'll think. Totally agree about Compston; he actually came to my school to talk to us about gangs must have been two years after Sweet Sixteen. He was briefly a professional football player before auditioning for Sweet Sixteen, he was basically just talking about growing up in a rough area surrounded by gangs, drugs, violence, etc, and how he managed to avoid it and make a good life for himself. Really nice guy but i must admit i haven't liked him much in anything since.

Being John Malkovich will definitely be getting watched soon now :up:

[seanc]

Good review of Room MV. Just noticed it. I didn't love it as much as you, but I liked it a lot and agree with everything you said. It would have been a 4.5 or 5 from me if the second half would have matched the first. The first half was as good as anything I saw in a movie last year.

[honeykid]

Don't you like him in Line Of Duty, Camo? I think he (and it) are fantastic.

[Camo]

Haven't watched it yet HK.

[JayDee]

Wow, MV paying a visit to the filmmaking shores of Scotland. :up: I've not actually seen Sweet Sixteen but I'm surprised you got so much out of it. Not surprised by your subtitles admission though. :D

[honeykid]

I think Line Of Duty is one of the best things on tv atm, Camo.

[Gideon58]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/irrationalman.gif

Irrational Man (Woody Allen, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3715320/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 1/14/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Originally watched for Phoenix, just got the blu ray
Rewatch: Yes

This is the third Allen film I've seen (or at least the third one I've seen all the way through) and I can't say I'm a fan of his work. I am, however, a fan of this tale of a depressed, alcoholic philosophy professor named Abe Lucas (played by Joaquin Phoenix) who finds his will to live in an unexpected way. And no, that will to live is not found in his affair with his lovestruck student, played by Emma Stone. He finds it in his plan and execution of the perfect crime, reveling in the thrill and danger of it all.

I normally find narration and voiceovers irritating, but in this film it works perfectly as the audience watches Lucas's world spiral out of control while his mind races with absurdly excited thoughts. And the deeper in he gets the more comical it becomes.

It's been asked of me if I think I would have enjoyed this movie as much had the lead been played by someone else and that's a question I can't answer. In all likelihood, I'd never have watched it had it starred another actor. I can say though that I loved everything about Phoenix's character and performance. I really enjoyed Emma Stone as well.

4+
This sounds really interesting...adding it to my watchlist

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/her.gif

Her (Spike Jonze, 2013)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/?ref_=nv_sr_4)

Date Watched: 4/26/16
Cinema or Home: At work on my portable DVD player
Reason For Watching: I needed a Phoenix fix.
Rewatch: Yes

At its most basic, this is the story of a man who falls in love with an operating system. But what it's really about is loneliness and the struggle to connect. I think a lot of us find it hard to forge real, healthy relationships with other people. We let our anxieties and insecurities stand in our way. We're desperate to find friendship, love, and understanding but don't really know how to make those things happen. I know I've felt that way and I find a really strong emotional connection with this film.

Of course that connection could never happen without a truly great central performance and who better to take on that role than Joaquin Phoenix. As Theodore Twomley - one of Her's few characters - Phoenix carries the entire film on his shoulders and he does it with a grace, sensitivity, and humanity that few actors can accomplish. I feel every emotion that Theodore feels. It's very raw, very real, and very believable. To me, it is truly the greatest performance of his career and probably my favorite performance of anyone in any movie.

Which is not to say that the other performances in the film are lacking. Scarlett Johansson's husky, sensual voice is perfect as Samantha and she infuses her performance with a curiosity, confidence, enthusiasm and sexuality that is palpable even though we cannot see her. And the smaller roles, too, are very well done. Amy Adams does well in her quiet role as Theodore's friend and confidante. Chris Pratt is awkwardly endearing as Theodore's colleague and admirer of his work. And Kristen Wiig turns in a brief but outrageous voice performance as SexyKitten - in a bizarre scene that I'll leave for the uninitiated to discover on their own.

But as great as these performances are, they would be nothing without an exceptional director and (Oscar winning) screenplay behind them. Jonze has created something truly special. He's crafted a very human love story that isn't even about two humans. As with any Jonze film, it has its quirks, but if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and forget your notions of Siri, look past the high-waisted pants and the bushy mustache and let yourself fall in love with Her.

5

[Camo]

oh, wow, Her is amazing one of the very best films this century; i disagree with you a lot but Her is amazing :up:

[Miss Vicky]

oh, wow, Her is amazing one of the very best films this century; i disagree with you a lot but Her is amazing :up:

You know, Spike Jonze directed this other really amazing movie that you should check out...

:D

[Camo]

Never thought you liked Where The Wild Things Are.

[Miss Vicky]

Never thought you liked Where The Wild Things Are.

:coleman:

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/anomalisa.gif

Anomalisa (Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2401878/)

Date Watched: 04/27/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Charlie Kaufman
Rewatch: No

As in all Charlie Kaufman penned films, Anomalisa has its quirks, but this is far more quietly contemplative than Eternal Sunshine or Being John Malkovich. It's much more akin to Synecdoche, New York. As such, it's not for the impatient or the ADD afflicted. There's little humor and a lot of heartache. It's not sexy. It's not glitzy. Very little actually happens. There's no hero. There's no villain.

There's just a man who stumbles through his mundane existence, unable to feel joy or to truly love anyone. The colors of his world are muted. Everyone's voice is the same. Everyone's face is the same. Except one. One anomaly named Lisa.

Much of the film is left open to a lot of interpretation. What really happened? What didn't? What are we to take away from this? The answers to those questions are up to each viewer and I'll probably have to revisit this film a time or two before I can answer them for myself. But I genuinely look forward to that revisit.

4

[Camo]

Anomalisa is amazing :up:

[seanc]

Glad you enjoyed it MV. I gave it the same score. I thought watching it was pretty clear what sequences were dreams and which weren't. Maybe not though, I'll buy it and give it another watch later in the year I'm sure.

[Iroquois]

It is pretty good - as of writing, I give it the edge over Her (but who knows how it'll hold up on a repeat viewing). I especially liked how at one point

it seemed to be making fun of how Kaufman-scripted movies tend to have chase scenes jammed in and how it even sets up a hell of a red herring by having Michael start to realise that he and everyone around him are actually claymation figures - which seems pretty plausible and might provide an easy explanation for why everyone he meets looks the same - but then it turns out to be a bad dream and he starts to think of Lisa as a generic automaton all on his own.

[Miss Vicky]

Glad you enjoyed it MV. I gave it the same score. I thought watching it was pretty clear what sequences were dreams and which weren't. Maybe not though, I'll buy it and give it another watch later in the year I'm sure.

Well there are some theories out there that suggest that it's less clear cut than that.

That Lisa is just a figment of Mike's imagination resulting from him having a mental breakdown.

I don't know that I buy those theories but they are an interesting interpretation.

Of course there's other BS going on in discussions I've seen elsewhere on the net, like accusations of rape and misogyny. :rolleyes:

[seanc]

Well there are some theories out there that suggest that it's less clear cut than that.

That Lisa is just a figment of Mike's imagination resulting from him having a mental breakdown.

I don't know that I buy those theories but they are an interesting interpretation.

Of course there's other BS going on in discussions I've seen elsewhere on the net, like accusations of rape and misogyny. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I have a hard time with most it was all just a dream theories. Especially with Anomalisa where there are already dream sequences, so now your talking about dreams within a dream. It doesn't seem to be in the context of the film at all.

Rape gets a big no from me. I maybe could get on board with misogyny a bit, but I would be more inclined to say Mike is a narcissist. I don't think he is a very sympathetic character though, so I don't see why they would consider that a problem.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/templeindy.gif

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Steven Spielberg, 1984)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087469/?ref_=nv_sr_2)

Date Watched: 04/28/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Tongo and his hate made me want to watch it again
Rewatch: Yes

This movie is cheesy, over the top, unrealistic, and absolutely ridiculous - and I love every ****ing minute of it. The opening song and dance number, Short Round, Willie, the three of them jumping from a plane in a life raft, giant vampire bats (actually fruit bats :laugh:), snake surprise, eyeball soup, chilled monkey brains, scientific research into "nocturnal activity," booby trapped catacombs, swarms of bugs, human sacrifice, creepy awesome Mola Ram, magic rocks, voodoo Indy doll, the mine cart chase, and the rickety ass rope bridge over hungry crocodiles (which I'm pretty sure are actually American alligators): I love it all and I've loved it all for 30 years. It is now, always has been, and always will be my favorite Indiana Jones movie and one of my favorite movies of all time.

This is just the ultimate for me in fun and adventure. I watched the entire thing with a big damn grin on my face just like I did when I was little. Bonus for adult me: Shirtless 80's era Harrison Ford.

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/hotindy.jpg

:randy:

4.5+

[mark f]

Even I give it 5/5. :mad: :lol: :cool:

[Iroquois]

I may be boring and consider it the third-best Indy film, but that still hasn't stopped it from cracking my Top 100 twice.

[Omnizoa]

It's understandable why people are divided on it. It's both better and worse than the other movies in different ways.

[Miss Vicky]

I should probably note that I also rewatched The Good Dinosaur yesterday. Still entertaining enough but not great. Also still better than Brave.

[Camo]

Temple of Doom is indeed the best Indie :D.

Been planning on watching The Good Dinosaur myself, think i'm going to do that in the next few days actually. I haven't seen that or Cars 2 yet but i agree Brave is the worst Pixar.

[cricket]

Temple of Doom is my third favorite, still great though.

[Omnizoa]

Also still better than Brave.
Didn't care for Brave, I take?

[Camo]

She'll have a write up of Brave about Omni probably in the rate the last movie thread around the time it came out.

[Omnizoa]

She'll have a write up of Brave about Omni probably in the rate the last movie thread around the time it came out.
Hmm...

Brave felt like the crappy illegitimate lovechild of Brother Bear and How to Train Your Dragon.
That works for me.

I didn't much care for Brave either. GREAT animation, but disappointing besides.

[Miss Vicky]

I didn't much care for Brave either. GREAT animation, but disappointing besides.

Yeah, Brave is beautiful to look at, but the humor was far too base and with that story they might as well have titled it Mother Bear. It felt more like one of Dreamwork's lesser offerings (along the lines of Shark Tale) than a Pixar film.

[Camo]

The conflict was really weak, Brother Bear like or not they didn't build the mother daughter relationship up enough to make me give a crap if she stayed a bear for the rest of her days or not. The best thing about Brave was the main characters hair!

[Omnizoa]

The best thing about Brave was the main characters hair!
It's such a weird thing to say about a movie, especially a Pixar movie, but it's true.

http://cdn4.teen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/brave-merida-funny-face.gif

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/mrholmes.gif

Mr. Holmes (Bill Condon, 2015)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3168230/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/04/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: It looked interesting and I've enjoyed some of Condon's other films.
Rewatch: No

An aging Sherlock Holmes battles dementia as he struggles to recall the details of his final case - the one that made him give up detective work and essentially go into hiding.

I really love Bill Condon's Gods and Monsters and Kinsey - enough so that I might even forgive him his two Twilight films. So I've been interested in this film since I first heard about it a few years ago (from honeykid in my top 100 thread).

There are some definite parallels between this film and Gods and Monsters, which also starred Ian McKellen. Both films center on once famous men - real life director James Whale in Gods and Monsters and the fictional Sherlock Holmes here - who live alone aside from the company of a housekeeper. Both men reconnect with their pasts through a friendship with a younger person - though to very different conclusions.

McKellen makes a convincing Holmes - both as the 93 year old Sherlock struggling to remember and as the 60 year old in his memories and brings a wit, sophistication, and dignity that is fitting for the character. The other performances were solid if perhaps not really remarkable. The cinematography is beautiful. But where the film struggles is in its pacing. This is definitely not for the attention deficient and some of the content seemed a bit unnecessary (such as his recollections of his time in Japan), though the film does run under two hours.

Still as a meditation on relationships, loneliness, and human emotion, it is a moving film and one that I can recommend and will probably revisit.

4-

[Camo]

That sounds pretty interesting. I've never cared much about Sherlock Holmes but i kind of want to see that now.

[Zotis]

Mr. Holmes was recommended to me by an older work colleague with impeccable taste. So I definitely want to watch it.

[Thursday Next]

" solid if perhaps not really remarkable" summed up the whole film for me.

[Gatsby]

I love Ian McKellen - so I might check this one out. Surprised to see that you liked it.

[Miss Vicky]

I love Ian McKellen - so I might check this one out. Surprised to see that you liked it.

Why does that surprise you?

[Citizen Rules]

Why does that surprise you? I'm surprised too....and that's a good thing. When I read your review of Mr Holmes I expected to find a low or medium rating on it. Nice to see appreciation for the film.

I really liked that movie but then again I like quiet films with lots of ambiance and charm.

I suggest The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970, Billy Wilder).

[Gatsby]

Actually, nevermind, I'm not surprised, MV adores low-budget drama doesn't she? ;)

[Thursday Next]

I second the recommendation of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.

[Miss Vicky]

Actually, nevermind, I'm not surprised, MV adores low-budget drama doesn't she? ;)

I may not necessarily adore low budget drama, but as I said, I do adore the two other Bill Condon films I've seen, both of which placed in my last top 100. I also have a fondness for films that explore human emotion. So me liking a Bill Condon film that explores human emotion shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/snowwhite.gif

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (William Cottrell, David Hand, et al., 1937)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029583/?ref_=nv_sr_2)

Date Watched: 05/06/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: I received the blu-ray as a gift
Rewatch: Yes

I don't think I've seen Snow White since I was a very young child and I've never been overly fond of princess movies so I'm not sure what possessed me to put this on my Amazon wish list. But put it on there I did and I received it today.

Besides never being overly fond of princess movies, I hate most musicals of any sort so this movie has two strikes against it there (and damn is there A LOT of singing and dancing). The romance between Snow White and Prince Charming is also not at all believable nor is the instant dedication the dwarfs show to Snow White. And to top it off, I found the evil queen far more interesting than the pasty princess. Still, the film is quite beautiful and has a certain charm to it that even I can't deny.

3.5

[Camo]

I quite like Snow White. From your review i'm surprised you gave it more than 1.5 though :p.

[Miss Vicky]

I quite like Snow White. From your review i'm surprised you gave it more than 1.5 though :p.

I reserve ratings that low for truly torturous crap, like South Park, K-On!, or PMMM.

[Camo]

I reserve ratings that low for truly torturous crap, like South Park, K-On!, or PMMM.

No need to kick me in the face :mad:. South Park is better than most of your top 50 though :p

I just meant it really didn't sound like you enjoyed it and it still got 3.5. I think i'd give the lower part of my top 100 that rating personally.

[Miss Vicky]

No need to kick me in the face :mad:. South Park is better than most of your top 50 though :p

Please. How much of my top 50 have you even seen? Also, your taste sucks. :p

I just meant it really didn't sound like you enjoyed it and it still got 3.5. I think i'd give the lower part of my top 100 that rating personally.

Well it does have the benefit of being animated and having lots of cute animals in it. I also liked Grumpy quite a bit, at least until he gave into her "wiles."

[Camo]

Please. How much of my top 50 have you even seen?

Dunno. Put it up on a list site and i'll see.

Also, your taste sucks.

Ugh, i taste delicious.. oh right.

Well it does have the benefit of being animated and having lots of cute animals in it. I also liked Grumpy quite a bit, at least until he gave into her "wiles."

I watched it with my nephew and he became pretty obsessed with Grumpy and Sleepy or whatever his name is after it. The singing is pretty annoying, but i forgot how short it is, in my head i had it at over two hours so i was pretty taken aback when i noticed the runtime.

[Miss Vicky]

Dunno. Put it up on a list site and i'll see.

My last list is outdated and I really ought to redo it.

The old top 50 starts here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=964597#post964597).

[Camo]

My last list is outdated and I really ought to redo it.

The old top 50 starts here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=964597#post964597).

I wanted it on a site like listal where i could just mindlessly check them off. I've been through your 50 before, will do it again and ill see how many i've seen now.

[Miss Vicky]

I wanted it on a site like listal where i could just mindlessly check them off. I've been through your 50 before, will do it again and ill see how many i've seen now.

Yeah, but I'm too lazy to do that, especially since I've been meaning to redo it.

[Camo]

Yeah, but I'm too lazy to do that, especially since I've been meaning to redo it.

33/50

Noticed i've came across a few of them on Netflix like School Ties and watched them because of you. Stop subconsciously influencing me damnit :p

[Miss Vicky]

Get those other 17 watched, plus Hedwig.

About to start going through my collection and toy some more with a top 100 redux.

[Miss Vicky]

27 + 33?

Mental math is not my forte. :laugh:

[Camo]

Mental math is not my forte. :laugh:

haha. Had to quote that before you noticed :p.

Yeah there are quite a few there i want to see. Was surprised by some of the placements there, not sure if they would still be the same. Like Pirates of the Caribbean at 15 or something. I knew you really like that but i didn't know that much. Catch Me If You Can in the top 50 as well, had no idea you even liked that, it is honestly probably my favourite Spielberg.

[Miss Vicky]

I actually realized my error before I saw your quote, but it was too late.

I do still love Pirates and Catch Me If You Can, but not sure how high they'd rank now since I haven't watched either in awhile. Maybe I'll actually do another list. Maybe.

[Miss Vicky]

On that note, I'm looking through my collection right now to compile a list and am wondering why I own some of this *****, but am too much of a movie hoarder to do anything about it.

[Camo]

On that note, I'm looking through my collection right now to compile a list and am wondering why I own some of this *****, but am too much of a movie hoarder to do anything about it.

Definitely do one. I'm curious where the Bergmans will turn up, and also if Eraserhead is top 15 or top 5.

[Miss Vicky]

Can someone explain to me why the hell I own Dogma?

[honeykid]

Temporary madness? Sleep deprivation? Some idiot told you to?

Put me down in the 'would love to see a new top 50' column. :cool:

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/escapefromny.gif

Escape From New York (John Carpenter, 1981)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/09/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Iro
Rewatch: No

I grew up watching a fair amount of 80s action flicks, but for whatever reason this wasn't one of them. As with many films of this type, you've got the badass hero, or anti-hero as it were, with his signature lines kicking ass and saving the day. There's also a fair helping of cheese, some very dated effects, and a touch of camp to top it off.

From what I can see, there really isn't much to set this apart from (and certainly nothing to set it above) other films of the decade like The Road Warrior or Die Hard, but it's got a cool main character, a lot of atmosphere, and is entertaining enough for what it is.

3.5-

[Iroquois]

http://reactiongif.org/wp-content/uploads/GIF/2014/08/GIF--Approve-Approval-Like-Likes-Awesome-Nice-one-Good-one-thumbs-up-GIF.gif

[Omnizoa]

http://reactiongif.org/wp-content/uploads/GIF/2014/08/GIF--Approve-Approval-Like-Likes-Awesome-Nice-one-Good-one-thumbs-up-GIF.gif
I feel like I'm gazing into the infinite.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/centurion.gif

Centurion (Neil Marshall, 2010)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020558/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/12/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: I have some interest in films set in ancient Rome.
Rewatch: No

I love a good swords and sandals flick. I don't think I'd heard of this, but the cover looked interesting so I picked it up from the library on a whim.

The makers of Centurion seem to believe that some nice scenery, pretty ladies, an over abundance of blood and gore, and a shoe horned in romance make up for an uninteresting story and lack of character development. They don't.

2-

[Omnizoa]

Hmmm... what is this?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jp9IsEstF3o/TZ40GKJM3_I/AAAAAAAAAA0/TzMKLlNdSKU/w1200-h630-p-nu/pass-a-hair-drug-test.jpg


I have some interest in films set in ancient Rome.

Fascinating.

[Cole416]

I just caught up and gave you a nice batch of rep.

I want to see Zootopia, Inside Out, Her, and Escape from LA/NY really bad but just havent had the time for any of them

[Thursday Next]

I know it's a 2 star minus review, but somehow I still want to watch Michael Fassbender dressed as a Roman, um, I mean Centurion...

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/mapstothestars.jpg

Maps to the Stars (David Cronenberg, 2014)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2172584/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/13/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: John Cusack
Rewatch: No

(Warning: Possible Spoilers Ahead)

Basically this is a movie about a bunch of vapid, soulless Hollywood types - that are all connected to each other - doing horrible, soulless things to each other and to other people in an attempt to get ahead. There is backstabbing, incest, sex out of spite, murder, suicide, schizophrenia, hallucinations, and psychosis. A child is nearly strangled to death. A dog is killed during a game with a revolver. None of the central characters have a single redeeming quality.

It’s bizarre, darkly funny at times and very unsettling throughout. I don’t know if I liked it, exactly, but it was a mesmerizing and disturbing watch.


3.5+

[Camo]

I forgot that film even existed. I want to see it.

[Miss Vicky]

I forgot that film even existed. I want to see it.

I'd forgotten about it, too. I just happened to spot it while I was browsing at the library.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/caveman2.gif

Caveman (Carl Gottlieb, 1981)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082146/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/13/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Sexy's Guilty Pleasure Countdown got me wanting to watch it again.
Rewatch: Yes

Caveman is a really stupid movie and if I hadn't grown up watching it, I'd probably hate it. Then again, how could an 80s comedy about cavemen that features Ringo Starr in the lead not be stupid?

That said, I did grow up with its silly stupidity - poop jokes, fart jokes, sex jokes, and terrible stop motion animation - and damned if I don't love it anyway.


3.5+

[Camo]

lol

[Omnizoa]

Totally on board until I saw "poop jokes, fart jokes".

[mark f]

This is Cinéma vérité - these dinosaurs have stop-motion bodily functions.

[Zotis]

I didn't like Centurion either. I don't think the problem was so much a lack of character development or uninteresting plot as it was just a lack of overall quality. Mediocre acting, a lousy script, and meaningless content.

[Miss Vicky]

Totally on board until I saw "poop jokes, fart jokes".

I'm normally very anti-bodily function humor, but it has nostalgia on its side.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/deadpool.gif

Deadpool (Tim Miller, 2016)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431045/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/13/16
Cinema or Home: A friend's house
Reason For Watching: Friend's kids were at their grandparents' house for the night and she wanted to watch something not kid friendly for once
Rewatch: No

And now for the third movie of the day. Deadpool is not a movie I'd normally watch. It's not a movie I wanted to watch. I had zero interest in it. I'm not a fan of superhero movies and Ryan Reynolds is most definitely not on the list of actors who are reason enough for me to watch something.

That said, it was amusing for what it was. I even found myself chuckling a few times. Lots of violence. Lots of sarcasm. Quite a bit of sex. Still found some parts annoying - giant metal dude (whatever TF his name is), super human strength bitch, and whatnot - and I won't be rushing out to get my hands on a copy for myself anytime soon or... you know... ever. But it was fun while it lasted.

3.5-

[Camo]

Ryan Reynolds is the one actor i avoid. Seems most on this site have multiple people they really hate, but no just Ryan Reynolds for me. Doubt i'll watch that.

[Miss Vicky]

Hmmm. Interesting. I don't despise Reynolds, just more apathetic to him.

I don't know if you'd like it anyway. You know what you should watch though? Bubba Ho-Tep. And also Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

[Camo]

Bubba Ho-Tep. And also Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

So they are Ryan Reynolds films? Yeah, will never watch them either then ;D

Also man never used that cool smilie

[Miss Vicky]

So they are Ryan Reynolds films? Yeah, will never watch them either then ;D

Also man never used that cool smilie


http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MoFoMovieGifs/karatehaff.gif
Don't make me use my stuff on you, baby!

[Iroquois]

Can't tell if Camo is joking or not.

Anyway, I think I'll give Deadpool another chance when it hits DVD here, but it doesn't strike me as a film that holds up to multiple viewings - hell, I'm in the minority who thought it didn't hold up for one.

[Tugg]

Anyway, I think I'll give Deadpool another chance when it hits DVD here, but it doesn't strike me as a film that holds up to multiple viewings - hell, I'm in the minority who thought it didn't hold up for one.
As I expected it seemed to me too gimmicky and pandering to the masses. Him talking to viewers was a hindrance. I did not like it.

[Miss Vicky]

As I expected it seemed to me too gimmicky and pandering to the masses. Him talking to viewers was a hindrance. I did not like it.

The breaking of the fourth wall came from the original comics, or so I'm told. Deadpool of the comics is very much aware that he's in a comic book, so Deadpool of the movie is very much aware that he's in a movie. Not that it makes it any less gimmicky, but it would be kind of strange if that didn't happen.

[Camo]

Can't tell if Camo is joking or not.

Joking about what? Not liking Ryan Reynolds?

[Iroquois]

Joking about what? Not liking Ryan Reynolds?

No, for assuming that Bubba Ho-Tep and Hedwig and the Angry Inch are Ryan Reynolds movies.

[Omnizoa]

No, for assuming that Bubba Ho-Tep and Hedwig and the Angry Inch are Ryan Reynolds movies.
Ya lost me.

[Miss Vicky]

Can't tell if Camo is joking or not.

He was joking.

[Camo]

No, for assuming that Bubba Ho-Tep and Hedwig and the Angry Inch are Ryan Reynolds movies.

Oh right. Yeah, like MV said i was joking.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/imitationgame.gif

The Imitation Game (Morten Tyldum, 2014)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Date Watched: 05/20/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Picked it up from the library on a whim
Rewatch: No

I knew next to nothing about Alan Turing when I went into this movie and didn't expect to really know much more about him coming out of it. A few minutes research shows it contains quite a few inaccuracies - like pretty much every biopic or "based on a true story" movie ever. So I really don't care about that.

Also, like every biopic ever, it's quite emotionally manipulative. But you know what? I eat that s*** up. I thought Cumberbatch turned in a really solid performance as Turing, though the role of the socially inept genius is perhaps not too far removed from his Sherlock Holmes. The normally beautiful-but-bland-as-hell Keira Knightley was surprisingly decent as Turing's collaborator and fiance and the story, inaccurate though it may be, was interesting and engaging.

All in all an entertaining flick and one I'll probably revisit.

4

[seanc]

I thought Imitation Game was quite well done as well. Biopics always get heat from the cinephile crowd but I enjoy them. Usually makes me research the subject a bit too.

[Camo]

Interesting. I know a bit about Turing but i was never interested in seeing this or The Theory of Everything from the same year. Bit more open to it now, i do like Cumberbatch at least

[seanc]

Interesting. I know a bit about Turing but i was never interested in seeing this or The Theory of Everything from the same year. Bit more open to it now, i do like Cumberbatch at least

I likedThe Theory Of Everything much much less.

[Miss Vicky]

Interesting. I know a bit about Turing but i was never interested in seeing this or The Theory of Everything from the same year. Bit more open to it now, i do like Cumberbatch at least

It reminded me a lot of A Beautiful Mind, which I also really enjoy.

[Camo]

I quite like that too actuallly.

[MovieMeditation]

I liked The Theory Of Everything much much less.
I liked Theory of Everything much much more.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/danceswithwolves.jpg

Dances With Wolves (Kevin Costner, 1990)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099348/)

Date Watched: 5/21/16
Cinema or Home: Home
Reason For Watching: Have decided to rewatch old favorites in preparation for a new personal top 100
Rewatch: Yes

Long before I'd ever heard the name Joaquin Phoenix, I was a fan of Kevin Costner and Dances With Wolves was a huge reason why. The best word that I can use to describe this film is breathtaking. The sweeping landscapes, gorgeous cinematography, the costumes, all of it. Just beautiful. On top of that, you've got a story and a group of characters - both human and animal - that really pull you in. It views like a love letter to the old frontier and to the native peoples that inhabited it.

I've hesitated to rewatch this film for a very long while due to its three hour run time, but I really didn't feel the length. I wasn't checking the clock or finding my mind wander at all. I was completely engrossed in it from start to finish. It's a shame I've put off revisiting this for so long. It's an incredibly moving experience.

5

[Citizen Rules]

Well worthy of a 5/5 rating. I love Dances with Wolves, I don't get why so many people dislike it?

[Camo]

Wolves is excellent :up:. I much prefer Goodfellas but i've never been that bothered with it missing out on the Best Picture award because i like Dances With Wolves so much. Really underrated film.

[Camo]

Also when do you think this will be?

Have decided to rewatch old favorites in preparation for a new personal top 100

[Miss Vicky]

Well worthy of a 5/5 rating. I love Dances with Wolves, I don't get why so many people dislike it?

I don't get it, either. Maybe just bitterness about it winning Best Picture over Goodfellas?

I think Goodfellas is a solid film, but it doesn't have the emotional impact that Dances has so I've always preferred this. I'll choose emotion over grit any day.

Also when do you think this will be?

Don't know. There are a lot of movies I want to revisit first and quite a few movies that I've watched since the last list that I need to find room for - which will mean having to make the painful decision of eliminating some long time favorites.

[Citizen Rules]

I don't get it, either. Maybe just bitterness about it winning Best Picture over Goodfellas?

I think Goodfellas is a solid film, but it doesn't have the emotional impact that Dances has so I've always preferred this. I'll choose emotion over grit any day.
Agreed and agreed! I just watched Goodfellas for the 8th HoF, I wasn't overly impressed with it. If you take all the shock violence scenes out of Goodfellas it really doesn't tell much of a story. I don't get the love for Goodfellas. I liked Casino much better.

[Gatsby]

Agreed and agreed! I just watched Goodfellas for the 8th HoF, I wasn't overly impressed with it. If you take all the shock violence scenes out of Goodfellas it really doesn't tell much of a story. I don't get the love for Goodfellas. I liked Casino much better.
Agreed. I give Goodfellas a 4 for the sake of the amazing acting, editing, and cinematography, but the very base is the dead horse scene from The Godfather played over and over again.

[cricket]

I've never seen Dancing with Wolves

[seanc]

It is possible to think both are amazing. * over here guys*

[MovieMeditation]

Dances is definitely good. :up:

[Camo]

It is possible to think both are amazing. * over here guys*

:highfive:

[Swan]

It is possible to think both are amazing. * over here guys*

NO. YOU MUST PICK ONE!!!!

[Citizen Rules]

Cricket, based on what I know about your movie likes/dislikes I would say you would really like Dances with Wolves. It has a well thought out story that explores humanity, it has a realistic look at Native American culture back in the mid 1800s and it has stunning on location filming in the vast wilderness of the South Dakota.

[seanc]

NO. YOU MUST PICK ONE!!!!

I pick Dances With Fellas. The gay burlesque hybrid.

[Miss Vicky]

http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/MovieLog/theniceguys.gif

The Nice Guys (Shane Black, 2016)
Imdb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3799694/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

Date Watched: 5/21/16
Cinema or Home: Cinema, with Funny Face
Reason For Watching: Russell Crowe
Rewatch: No

Despite ***** like The Man With the Iron Fist, Noah, and Winters Tale, Russell Crowe has been on my list of actors who I'll watch in anything for a long time now (longer even than Joaquin Phoenix) so as soon as I saw the preview for this, I knew I had to watch it.

Like most comedies, a lot of the best stuff was in the trailer, but there were still plenty of laughs to be had and lots of great atmosphere to soak up. It reminded me a lot of Inherent Vice (albeit a much easier to follow version) with its vibe and its quirks. I realize Inherent Vice is something of a divisive film, but for me the similarities are a good thing and I had a lot of fun with this. I may even give it another watch before it leaves the theater.

4+