Movie Tab II [Archive] - Page 42

Iroquois

04-30-09, 10:37 PM

http://www.scene-stealers.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/day-of-the-dead-on-dvd-scene-bub-the-zombie-likes-music-1985-horror-film-romero-original.jpg

Day of the Dead (Romero, 1985) - 4

For reasons unbeknownst to me, I really felt like watching this again and I wasn't going to sleep any time soon so I decided to watch this. I'm not sure how many people here have seen it or even like it, but it's definitely a vastly underrated film, especially compared to its predecessors in the Dead series (and still superior to those that followed).

The relatively original plot - revolving around a small handful of survivors living in an underground bunker while zombies have more or less overtaken the earth - is a good one, focusing on a scientific outpost's attempts to try and study the zombies (with the hope of teaching them to be obedient) and the tensions it causes with the soldiers that are also posted at the bunker. Combined with some more of Tom Savini's impressive gore effects (what puts the work in Day of the Dead over something like the Dawn of the Dead remake is that I still look at it and wonder how they did it, whereas with the latter I can spot the CGI more often than not - in addition to the fact that the makers were working on a relatively low budget) and some delightfully over-the-top performances (who can forget Joe Pilato's Captain Rhodes, a villain so nutty and scenery-chewing he makes Gary Oldman look normal?) and I still find it to be a rather entertaining film, although the original Dawn is probably still my favourite in the series.

And I didn't even mention Bub, possibly the best zombie "character" ever created.

Swan

04-30-09, 10:44 PM

I absolutely love Day of the Dead, Iro. Has the best zombies of any of them, if my memory serves me right (and yeah, Bub tops 'em all). For a while I thought Day of the Dead was my favorite film from the best zombie series ever, but I watched the trailer a few days ago and I think I will have to get it and watch it again to see if that's actually true. It's been years...

mark f

04-30-09, 10:46 PM

I have to rewatch it too, but I don't think I'm going to think it's all that good, unless I've changed my mind about Romero as much as I have about later-end Fellini and Bergman.

Swan

04-30-09, 10:52 PM

Neither do I, not after watching the trailer a few days ago.

MovieMan8877445

05-01-09, 12:27 AM

http://www.eeweems.com/capra/_imagery/_mr_deeds/deeds_470.jpg

Mr. Deeds Goes To Town
Frank Capra, 1936

Another great movie from Capra, but it still ranks as one of my least favorites from him. As you may have noticed I still gave it a great score, but that just really shows you how great his other movies are. I still have quite a few to see though, so I doubt it'll stay like this long. I've seen the remake of this, so I basically already knew the basics of watch this was going to be like. They were actually pretty different though, so that's a plus. One thing I wasn't particually fond of was the ending, I don't know, but something about some bigger people trying to walk over little people really upsets me. I've actually been seeing it done a lot in older movies, but usually it still ends up with a happy ending.

Jean Arthur is becoming one of my favorite actresses, between this, You Can't Take It With You, and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. She seems to have done a great job in all of those, but I've still only seen 3 of her movies. Gary Cooper is a pretty damn good actor as well. I noticed a lot of similarties in his character in this and in Meet John Doe, which just happens to be another Capra movie. Still it was a great movie, and it'd be one that I think you should check out if you haven't yet.

4

Harry Lime

05-01-09, 04:07 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/jessejames.jpg

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007, Andrew Dominik) 3

meatwadsprite

05-01-09, 11:05 AM

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:C9miZegcBH1E3M:http://www.impawards.com/2003/posters/cowboy_bebop.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:YNk3Q__NaIzB2M:http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/aj6293/cowboy_bebop.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:OW_OpW-5xExdPM:http://www.scificool.com/images/2008/07/cowboy-bebop-movie-2.jpg

Cowboy Bebop : The Movie

It looks great and has the very strong support of it's 26 episode series. This is one of the best translations from TV to film I've seen and exactly how it should be done - uses the characters you already know and puts them into a bigger theatrical situation. Although the movie is far from perfect , it's one of the more enjoyable anime films out there.

The music choice is pretty far out there though , I much prefer the Jazz from the series to this random assortment.

3

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:2Bk7jWwG8TV_pM:http://www.publispain.com/posters/platoon.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:RUWq4TXAj2pUDM:http://www.independentcritics.com/images/platoonSPLASH.jpg http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:zq89hGl80VlKDM:http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/12/14/article-1094578-00843BFE00000258-171_468x315.jpg

Platoon

I think this may be the worst war film I've ever seen. With the director having served in Vietnam himself , Stone somehow has produced one of the most formulaic dumb action movie interpretations of war. The script is terrible from the start , applying a 2 swears to 1 real word ratio - the characters have no believability in them and it just gets worse as you go on.

The visuals are pretty garbage as well , some of the scenes look good and most of them look terrible. Lighting is as abysmal the camera-work , everything has a dull tint. Oh yeah , the musical score amounts to one song - which is completely over the top every time you hear it.

After watching this atrocity , I found that it won Best Picture , Best Director , Best Sound , and Best Film Editing ... The only thing I give this movie credit for , is really wanting me to watch the real Vietnam film Apocalypse Now.

1.5

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:7z2lU05KdUZwYM:http://strangeherring.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/wrestler_poster_535px.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:C6v31LypSykK_M:http://caffeine-headache.net/blog3/DarrenAronofskyTheWrestlerRR04.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:XoQuegOKc7QBwM:http://www.iwebie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/the-wrestler.jpg

The Wrestler

If you thought this movie was great alone , wait until you see it after Platoon. Everything here comes together beautifully , an original core idea , strong acting , meaningful visuals , and awesome music.

5

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:5uvJiSelajJj9M:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P98HZNKVL._SL500.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:5SXSeZ_vJtGPYM:http://www.ica.org.uk/thumbnail.php%3Fmax%3D408%26id%3D6402 http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:cRd3nnbYqADZUM:http://ferdyonfilms.com/Blimp%25202.JPG

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

With stunningly modern camera-work this film serves as the perfect tutorial in being a gentleman. Very enjoyable film about the military , with a surprising absence of fighting and an abundance of great dialogue.

4

Caitlyn

05-01-09, 11:16 AM

Alien - 4.5

http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/2/1223/thumb_620x2000/alien1.jpg

Heard lots of good things about this, don't get me wrong, this is a really good movie, but i didn't like it as much as i thought i would.

I really liked Alien... but my favorite has to be the second one... Aliens... Have you seen it yet?

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/JoeTheG4/aliens.jpg

Sleezy

05-01-09, 02:36 PM

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007, Andrew Dominik) 3

Any thoughts? I like that film a lot. :yup:

Harry Lime

05-01-09, 04:36 PM

I liked the acting across the board, but especially Casey Affleck (who is the most talented Affleck for sure). Excellent cinematography, the train robbery scene at the start had a great feel to it. The film did a good job of not falling prey to the myth of Jesse James and instead gave me a bit of a history lesson in the process. It's running time was long, and most of the time I wouldn't care about the length unless I notice it, which I did. And those little interludes with the voiceover and its attempt at hypnotic visuals didn't quite work for me. But all and all a decent commentary on honour and integrity, as well as celebrity and legend in America.

zedlen

05-01-09, 07:14 PM

http://www.blog.automotiveaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/fast-and-furious-1.jpg

Fast and Furious (2009)

Now when I say I had high hopes for this, I don't mean like compared to The Dark Knight, I knew it wouldn't top the first. Fast and Furious was disappointing and depressing, it felt like a anti-hooning ad, what happens to your life when all you care about is cars and money. And while the F&F movies are never that realistic this was even less realistic and reminded me of Transporter 2 in its stupidity. The only redeemable feature is seeing Dom and Brian back together, a few nostelgic feelings. The ending was pretty good considering. This has nothing on the original.

Jerry Shaw

05-01-09, 10:06 PM

I really liked Alien... but my favorite has to be the second one... Aliens... Have you seen it yet?

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/JoeTheG4/aliens.jpg

Haven't seen Aliens yet, i plan to soon.

-----------------------

Children of Men - 5

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/environmentandenergy/children-of-men-theo-kee1_1166716426.jpg

This was such a awesome movie and story. I loved the film a lot. I'm sure it will come into my top 10. At the moment, one of the best movies that Clive Owen has stared in yet...

MovieMan8877445

05-02-09, 12:34 AM

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/images/destry-rides-again.jpg

Destry Rides Again
George Marshall, 1939

I probably wouldn't have seen this for awhile had it not been for a special showing on the battleship in my town. It was actually pretty cool watching an older movie other than at my own house, because it helps really add to the experience of a movie. My only concern is that someone in the audience didn't speak english, so they had spanish subtitles up during the whole movie. It's always great to see some more of James Stewart movies, though, I honestly think that he's my favorite actor easily. Seeing him in a western, which is one of my favorite kind of movies, really helps a lot too. It was more of a comedy western, though, but I still thought it was great. The ending ended up being really great, but the endings to westerns never really seem to disappoint me.

James Stewart is so great in this, but then again, when is he not great in a movie. It's just so amazing how he can have completely different characters in all of his movies, and make them all work great. Any Stewart fan or western fan needs to check this one out if they haven't had the chance to yet.

4

Harry Lime

05-02-09, 05:08 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/boilingpoint.jpg
Boiling Point (1990, Takeshi Kitano) 4
I have to get a hold of more Takeshi's films now.

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/oceans13-poster.jpg
Ocean's Thirteen (2007, Steven Soderbergh) 2
Soderbergh and gang should of stopped at eleven.

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/rolemodels.jpg
Role Models (2008, David Wain) 2.5
The first half of this movie was a lot better than the second.

Jerry Shaw

05-02-09, 05:13 AM

New Alcatraz - 2.5

http://www.cinemarx.ro/poze/postere/filme/2002/New-Alcatraz-19641-826.jpg

It was OK, some of the CGI was pretty average, but the movie itself was alright, probably not something i would watch over and over.

Daffodil

05-02-09, 10:39 AM

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. (Gavin Hood - 2009)

http://www.canmag.com/images/front/xmen/wolverine10.jpg

Throughout the film, I kept on thinking how much Jackman looks so much like a younger Eastwood. Am I alone in thinking this?

Anyway, the film was so-so. I could care less for it. It's entertainment value was decent.

Godoggo

05-02-09, 01:59 PM

Elite Squad (Jose Padilha 2007)

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/godoggo_photo/ELITESQUAD_STILL01_WEB-01_LOW.jpg

A gritty, violent movie about an elite special forces unit called BOPE. I did like this movie a lot, but I wish at times it had slowed down just a little. The somewhat frantic pacing had me feeling a litte disconnected at times. B

igor_is_fugly

05-02-09, 02:59 PM

A Scanner Darkly

http://www.filmfortress.com/images/scanner_darkly_review.jpg

Disappointing. I still think the animation is awesome to watch, but the story was just lkjfgbqejbfbdssa. There was so much stuff in there that was so pointless and I thought it was gonna come back and have something to do with the overall plot but nooope it was just thrown in there for no apparent reason. Yeah, overall I felt like it was trying to be an artistically messy movie and it just ended up being the messy part. Like I said, still visually interesting and it did have some cool parts and a good cast to give it some points.

2.5

meatwadsprite

05-02-09, 07:41 PM

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:xUTxp2gePXpghM:http://frazer.rice.edu/~erkan/blog/archives/alteredstatesjpg.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:dAK7Vd0Ekj-BbM:http://cache.gawker.com/assets/stills/altered_gizmodo.flv.jpg http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:9eYpZHetqg8AIM:http://thisdistractedglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Alteredstates4.jpg

Altered States

This one was quite a random pick , but it turned out to be an interesting surreal ride. Altered States rarely connected at any deep point in my mind , but any movie that goes this far above and beyond to keep you involved can't be anything but enjoyable.

There are a bunch of different meanings you could decide to pair up with this film and it does create the weird sense of atmosphere you get when told two stories each at their separate pace.

Visually this is a mixed bag , there are many scenes that look brilliant and some that have become terribly dated even to the point of looking so bad it's funny. Obviously cheap green-screen effects can't top classic top grade cinematography.

Dream film addicts I recommend this one to you.

3

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:PL7yOvHgWW5nCM:http://www.80sfear.com/blogimages/videodrome/videodrome.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:nabY8hgq9rGqzM:http://blog.robbiecooper.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/videodrome2a-2.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:NhkcwFyibI0b9M:http://images.dead-donkey.com/images/videodrome01jg7.jpg

Videodrome

Here's another off the wall chaotic surreality. This is the first of Cronenberg I've seen and it sure won't be the last , the visuals and effects here are pretty top notch for their obvious limits. Unlike Altered States there is a wise dodging of the more cheaper effects and it's messages and themes effectively resonate with me - even if they aren't very meaningfully.

3.5

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:tapK74ygDHl-nM:http://blog.afi.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/full_movieimage_12526.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:T2viBTPb745wOM:http://movies.beloblog.com/No%2520Country%2520For%2520Old%2520Men.JPG http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:JE8eZk9fIdlVrM:http://livingincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/no-country-for-old-men-002.jpg

No Country for Old Men

Now here's a class example of portraying simple themes in a much more complex manner. Strong performances make these characters instantly believable and their dialogue is wise and universally knowledgeable.

It's a suspense thriller , but one packed with much more than your expecting. There is no formula tying these events together , there is no ounce of predictability about the story - other than your assumptions about the characters themselves.

What would a great action movie be without encompassing images. Be it's setting be the enormous dessert or the old small housings , there is a heavy sense of personality and symbolism layered onto everything seen here.

Easily one of the best , if not best film that has won Best Picture. Even if it isn't my favorite film to come out of the great 2007 film year , it's the one I'd most highly recommend to audiences of all kind (except the weak of stomach).

5

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:tUoF97eVZh5gNM:http://img.verycd.com/posts/0706/post-455487-1183023788.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:uCdzroh0G7ZZSM:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/thepestilence123/vlcsnap-3727108.png http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:l6vTdbc7r2tdjM:http://www.filmdetail.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/temple-of-doom.jpg

Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom

Surely my favorite of the now quadrilogy , over the top performances match the completely insane , awesome action the film continues to dish out again and again. Not only does it work as the perfect action/adventure movie , but is itself a satire of it's own genre and the old serials that inspired it.

Right from the endlessly twisting , eye opening introduction - it's visual and musical energy never deafen : big booming punches and a familiar loud brilliant orchestra light up the magnificently done sets.

5

undercoverlover

05-02-09, 07:44 PM

^^pretty accurate review, theres a lot in scanner darkly i hate and a lot i love.

13th Warrior

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/undercoverlover/film/The13thWarrior1.jpg

My flatmate spent months trying to get me to watch this, finally saw it tonight. One word.

Badass.

On paper it has the stoopidest plotline but in practice its awesome. Antonio Banderas? Yes. Vikings? Absolutely. Weird bear-like crazy people? Definitely

MovieMan8877445

05-02-09, 08:10 PM

http://analogmedium.com/blog/2008/12/halloween2.jpg

Halloween
John Carpenter, 1978

I literally just typed up a really long review, but I accidently deleted it, so I guess I'll try and do it again. I constantly hear how great of a horror movie this is, and since I haven't seen it since I was a kid, I thought it was about time that I revisited this and gave it another watch. I remember liking it a lot more as a kid, than I do now. Maybe since I was younger, it just freaked me out more than it does now. I was pretty surprised at how much of it I remembered, though the remake did help me with some of it. Something that just really seems to irk me is how stupid they make the characters in this, but that's really just a rant about horror movies in general. I wish a horror movie would come out that actually gave the characters a brain. My only real problem with this is how slow moving it is. It seems like they tried to drag things out on purpose just to make it so it would be an hour and a half.

Something else that I didn't really like was Jaime Lee Curtis as Laurie, I much prefer Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie. She can act much better than Curtis, and she's also insanely hot, which Curtis really isn't. I'd actually go as far to say that the entire female cast in the remake was much better than in the original. Despite me sounding pretty negative about it, I still really liked it. I just didn't like it as much as I remembered, but I guess it's just because I got older. I still respect what it did for the slasher genre, this and Psycho were easily the two most influencial slashers out there.

3.5

TheDOMINATOR

05-02-09, 09:56 PM

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:tUoF97eVZh5gNM:http://img.verycd.com/posts/0706/post-455487-1183023788.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:uCdzroh0G7ZZSM:http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/thepestilence123/vlcsnap-3727108.png http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:l6vTdbc7r2tdjM:http://www.filmdetail.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/temple-of-doom.jpg

Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom

Easily my favorite of the now quadrilogy , over the top performances match the completely insane , awesome action the film continues to dish out again and again. Not only does it work as the perfect action/adventure movie , but is itself a satire of it's own genre and the old serials that inspired it.

Right from the endlessly twisting , eye opening introduction - it's visual and musical energy never deafen : big booming punches and a familiar loud brilliant orchestra light up the magnificently done sets.

5

100% agreed on all points, meat. Although, I have yet to see Crystal Skull, the newest installation in the series.

Iroquois

05-03-09, 12:07 AM

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/twilight2.thumbnail.jpg

Twilight (Hardwicke, 2008) - 2.5

After finishing with this, I was wondering what rating I could possibly give this film. I've considered taking a page out of Used Future's book and giving the film two ratings - one, a genuine rating and one a "trash" rating. If pressed to go that was, I'd say my genuine rating for this would be 2.5, but as far as enjoying it in a totally schaedenfreude manner, I'd probably go so far as to give it a 4, simply because it made me laugh a lot. Between the one-note performances, noticeably fake effects and stuntwork and badly written dialogue, I feel tempted to call Twilight the best "comedy" of 2008 (suck it, Rogen). Who knows how many people I would've annoyed if I'd seen this at the theatres, I laughed so hard at it.

Dill-man

05-03-09, 12:46 AM

Slumdog Millionare

http://jyohe97.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/slumdog_millionaire.jpg

I thought this was a good movie. Thruthfully, I somehow didn't know much about the movie (despite watching all the Oscar coverage and everything) and didn't realize it was as serious or "real" as it is, so some of the brutal parts caught me off guard. Much of the movie (especially the filming style) reminded me of City of God. The jarring camera angles and chaotic tracking shots, plus the idea of following kids growing up in the slums were the main similarities. The organization made for an interesting, if sometimes confusing, narrative structure. The story was pretty cool. A different idea. Overall, I thought it was a well-done, intriguing, and exciting movie, without being something special.

4

MovieMan8877445

05-03-09, 01:51 AM

http://film.umwblogs.org/files/2009/03/lawrence.jpg

Lawrence Of Arabia
David Lean, 1962

THis has always been one of those movies for me that I put off watching for so long just because of it's near 4 hour runtime. I was so absolutely wrong, actually I feel like hitting myself because I put of watching it for so long. I'm literally blown away right now, because it was just that amazing. Easily the most epic movie I've ever seen. It's really like 2001: A Space Odyssey, except it takes place in the desert instead of space. I loved how they broke it up into two parts, hell they even had an intermission in it. It gave me a little break to stand up and walk around a bit so I wouldn't get tired when I watched the second half.

Something that was really unique is that before the movie started, during the intermission, and after the credits, the screen basically just went black and it's amazing score started playing. It's just something that I haven't seen done before, but it worked great because the score was so amazing. The scenery is one of the best things about this, they really had some beautiful shots of the desert in this. I'm sure this would be great to see in Blu-Ray, but it'd be even better seeing it on a movie screen.

I loved the first half a lot more than the second. I'm actually pretty surprised because the second half is more of a revenge part, and I tend to like watching revenge. I think the main thing I don't like is what seems to happen to Lawrence duing it. He just seems to completely lose it, he was so inspirational in the first half, and then it just all disappears in the second half. Peter O'Toole did a much better job acting wise during the second half than the first half, even if I didn't like the character as much. He still did a great job in the first half, though, I don't want to sound like he didn't. He sure did a great job for this to be his first role ever in a movie.

This is easily one of the greatest movies ever made, and I really feel like putting it in my top 10, hell probably even top 5. I've been seeing so many great movies recently, though, that I'm just confused with my top 10. I don't know, it's really weird. If you've been putting this one off, like I was doing, do yourself a favor and go and watch it as soon as you can, because it really is as great as people make it out to be. This is probably my favorite movie in AFI's top 10.

5

Harry Lime

05-03-09, 02:22 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/la-haine.jpg

La Haine (1995, Mathieu Kassovitz) 4.5

Dill-man

05-03-09, 03:51 PM

Way of the Dragon

http://i12.tinypic.com/4do7j21.jpg

Before watching this I'd never seen a Bruce Lee movie. Well, I have to say I am impressed with his bad-assesry. It is perhaps only rivaled by the king of bad-ass Clint Eastwood. The story/acting/dubing/ and pretty much everything else in this movie sucked. But it sucked so badly that it was kinda of amusing to watch, which made it easy to stay interested in between the fight scenes, which are awesome. The fights were so cool and well-done it makes this movie easy to reccomend. It reminded me of Hard Boiled in that the story/acting wasn't great (way worse in Way of the Dragon) but the action was increadible. Plus, it was great to see Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris duke it out (despite Chuck Norris' gross body hair).

1 for everything except for the fights

4.5 for the fights

Total:
3.5

Pyro Tramp

05-03-09, 04:29 PM

Taken

http://hhhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/taken-poster.jpg

Have to say, watching Liam Neeson do something other than be wise mentor / dead mentor is gonna catch my attention. But Liam Neeson action hero? Rather interesting. He does a decent job, his worried father was far too scripted to make the limited narrative work; apparently just because they haven't got a dumb star- doesn't mean the film won't be dumb. The plot is derivative set up to allow for a few bits of action, you won't be surprised to see Luc Besson's name on the bill considering its Paris setting and choreographed violence. Anyway, it's a solid enough film, even if it isn't offering anything different to other movies, despite having a 'good' actor in the lead.

3_5

Troll 1 & 2

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i1ZjNkR4id4/RqD408vEZUI/AAAAAAAAAF8/iCH7NIKeCkA/s320/Troll_Restless72119.jpg http://www.obscurehorror.com/troll2.jpg

I got these on DVDs (they were cheap) because i'd heard the name around the net. Watched the first, average 80s "horror" (inverted commas since it wasn't actually scary). It wasn't awful, was just very average, very Leprechaun. There's not really much to say other than it's being remade.

Anywho, it was by the time it came to watching the sequel, which, by the way has NO relation to the first- that i realised where i knew the name- from Worst Movies of ALL TIME LISTS. Kinda had to laugh at some of atrocities they pull off on this, the costumes, script, acting all diabolical. I don't know what else to say really. It's one of those SO bad it's almost ok films. The fact it's about Goblins (Trolls aren't even mentioned) the poster art is a werewolf chasing a kid WHICH NEVER HAPPENS. Here's the plot, the Goblins (who live in Nilbog, geddit?) have to get people to drink some potion so they can turn into plants and the Goblins can eat them. Yes, VEGETARIAN Goblins, who get defeated by a kid with a baloney sandwich. Oh and the kid has some help from his dead Grandfather's ghost, who appears and hands him a MOLOTOV COCKTAIL. Preferred Leprechaun 4 but this sits up there in that niche genre with some hard to believe it stupidity. Here's some awesome stills:

http://www.scene-stealers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/troll2party.jpg

http://images.quickblogcast.com/27225-25868/troll2.jpg

Troll 1- 2

Troll 2- 0
TRASH RATING- 3

This made me laugh on a slightly related note :) (http://www.maniacworld.com/Worst-Movies-Ever-Made.html) <<<click

Elite Squad

http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/tropa-de-elite-3_m.jpg

I'm surprised this is the first film i've seen crop up that takes an immediate influence from City of God. I can't see this film as anything more than an opposite perspective, here police instead of street kids. Unfortunately it doesn't really succeed as much as the aforementioned film, it copies the cinematography and editing well but has none of the heart. The plot is pretty wishy washy with little interest shown in the characters who appear occasionally and seem important only to be seconded to others. It's not a bad film but it fails to make any impact, which probably comes from the lacking of heart- which is needed to bring the shocking nature of the films reality to the forefront. I wasn't even sure if this 'Elite Squad' was real or fictional.

3

MovieMan8877445

05-03-09, 08:24 PM

http://cghs.dadeschools.net/african-american/twentieth_century/gwtw_mammy.JPG

Gone With The Wind
Victor Fleming, 1939

This is one of those movies, much like Lawrence Of Arabia, that I always put off watching because of it's super long runtime. Something I have seemed to really notice is that as long as the movie has enough interesting things in it, I really don't mind. Sadly this couldn't be one of those. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but it's absolutely nowhere near as great as people make it out to be. The beginning was great, easily the best part of the movie, sadly it stayed that way pretty much throughout the whole 4 hours and it eventually got really tedious watching it.

Something that really impressed me with this is the score, it's really amazing. I can pretty much say hands down that it's the best thing about the movie. Something that I really didn't like was that before the intermission, the movie was so exciting, but it just got real boring after. I guess normal life during the 1800's doesn't really intrest me that much. Clark Gable had some great acting during the second half of the movie, which was probably the best thing about the movie. Him and Vivien Leigh worked as a great couple.

Love stories don't even really seem bother me anymore either, because I mean I love Casablanca. I think that worked so well, though, was that it was still pretty short. I guess love stories just can't seem to keep my interest for 4 hours. I'd probably class this as the most overrated movie ever, but maybe it's because I'm so young. I'm actually pretty surprised I'm saying that, because I can stand a lot of movies. Seeing another rather bad movie after didn't really help much either.

3

Harry Lime

05-03-09, 08:26 PM

I wasn't even sure if this 'Elite Squad' was real or fictional.

Semi-fictional, like City of God.

MovieMan8877445

05-04-09, 12:37 AM

http://www.filmforum.org/films/7year/7Year_2.jpg

The Seven Year Itch
Billy Wilder, 1955

This one really surprised me, because I never really had much interest in seeing it, but I needed something to watch and it was in my instant queue. I'm really glad that I decided to watch this tonight, because this made for my crappy day with movies today. The funny thing about the whole movie, is it's all true. Guys have those thoughts like that, and they made it funny at the same time. One reason I was putting off seeing this is because of Billy Wilder directing it, and I didn't like Double Indemnity that much. I'm glad I did decide to check it out, though, because I ended up really liking it. I suppose I'll have to try and check out Some Like It Hot now.

Tome Ewell did such a great job as the lead actor in this, and I don't think it wouldn't have been quite as good without him. Something I did notice while watching this is that Marilyn Monroe really is beautiful, and of course this had her iconic shot in it. Anyone that's thinking about seeing this needs to get on it sometime soon.

4

Harry Lime

05-04-09, 03:19 AM

For Billy Wilder you should check out Sunset Boulevard, most definitely.

Jerry Shaw

05-04-09, 05:02 AM

Blade Runner - 4.5

I really enjoyed this film, it was very well made for how old it is, maybe with a re-watch it will bump it up to a full 5

Iroquois

05-04-09, 05:06 AM

"Very well made for how old it is".

Heh.

Jerry Shaw

05-04-09, 05:36 AM

Yeah? It's a old movie and is very well made, some movies that are 20+ years old don't look that great, and this looked pretty damn good.

Fenwick

05-04-09, 08:08 AM

For Billy Wilder you should check out Sunset Boulevard, most definitely.

Indeed, although Double Indemnity is probably my favourite Wilder.

MM, you should also check out The Lost Weekend, The Apartment and Stalag 17. Come to think of it Sabrina, Witness for the Prosecution, One, Two, Three and Ace in the Hole are worth your time as well.

http://www.creativescreenwriting.com/csdaily/csdart/images/2006-04-April/Stalag_17--chess_and_stern_stares.jpg

From Stalag 17 (1953)

http://www.brnrd.net/blog/images/lost_weekend.gif

From The Lost Weekend (1945)

Iroquois

05-04-09, 08:40 AM

There are some movies that just came out that don't look that great either. Your point?

Anyway...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SniTwfm5BwE/SQtcDD5jviI/AAAAAAAAAlI/daRUcMs38PM/s320/Red_vs_Blue_Reconstruction.jpg

Red vs. Blue: Reconstruction (Burns/Hullum, 2008) - 4+

Some of you may have heard of the popular Internet machinima series Red vs. Blue. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it revolves around a war being fought between two teams - the Reds and the Blues. Originally focusing on a handful of soldiers fighting a pointless battle in a box canyon, it expanded across the universe in a variety of convoluted manners before coming to a close at 100 episodes over 5 seasons. Even though Reconstruction is technically also a series, I watched it as part of an official DVD (which edited the individual episodes together into a single uninterrrupted movie) so screw it, I'm including it here.

The movie is great, utilising better camerawork and special effects than the previous seasons (thanks in no small part to the usage of Halo 3 in making it) and also creating a plot that, while not quite as full of humour as the average RvB season, made up for it by managing to bring a stunning amount of closure to the entire series, especially thanks in one truly jaw-dropping twist.

Of course, it's not going to make that much sense unless you're a fan of the series (being one, I picked up countless blink-and-you'll-miss-them in-jokes that would confuse any ordinary person) although there's still quite a bit there for an inexperienced viewer. I don't recommend watching it until you actually do see the series.

http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews_2/ab5734/drunken_master.jpg

Drunken Master (Yuen, 1978) - 4

I stumbled upon this film by accident while at the library. It was contained on two separate video CDs, had two different audio tracks in each stereo speaker (I ended up watching while using one headphone to avoid confusion) and had a pan-and-scanned screen which lopped off the longer subtitles (which were already chock full of bad grammar).

In spite of that, I still enjoyed the film immensely. I've always liked Jackie Chan films and Drunken Master is one of the better ones. Utilising a rather thin plot (Chan is a rebellious young upstart who is forced to learn some discipline from the titular drunken master, which comes in handy for taking on the various bad guys that he comes into contact with), it works as a showcase for the skills of Chan and company. The fights are fast and fluid, packed with overexaggerated sound effects and also some of his trademark comedic touches such as including a bunch of props that get thrown around and used in a variety of amusing ways. Even though it was a crap copy of the film (and I'm going to try and find a better version if I can), it was still a great kung fu movie.

Sedai

05-04-09, 10:13 AM

X-Men Origins - Wolverine(Hood, 2009)
2_5

A fun but silly action flick. Grab some popcorn and prepare to roll the eyes.

http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/852/852176/x-men-origins-wolverine-20080214002451981_640w.jpg

X-Men (2000, Singer)
3_5

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/x-men-insults-gal-431.jpg

It was fun popping X-men in the DVD player right after we go home from seeing Wolverine. The first reason being, Bryan Singer's film is an immediate step up, and second, the Wolverine character was just that much more fleshed out after seeing his [somewhat altered] origin. Even though X-men is sort of light in comparison to X2, it is still a well made film that actually attempts to develop its characters.

There Will Be Blood (PT Anderson, 2007)
4_5

http://www.cinemapolis.org/pics/there%20will%20be%20blood.jpg

I wondered what Mr. Anderson would do with a film like this. Having Daniel Day-Lewis chew scenery was a brilliant approach. I can watch this guy all day. What a flick.

meatwadsprite

05-04-09, 10:37 AM

Yeah? It's a old movie and is very well made, some movies that are 20+ years old don't look that great, and this looked pretty damn good.

In comparison a film made in the 1980's isn't really that old , though it was an era where films began using cheap dumb looking special effects that obviously haven't held up.

Iroquois

05-04-09, 10:43 AM

In comparison a film made in the 1980's isn't really that old , though it was an era where films began using cheap dumb looking special effects that obviously haven't held up.

You can't really say the 80s began using "cheap dumb-looking special effects" any more so than any other era. Every era of filmmaking is going to have a select handful of truly brilliant effects and a load of really crap ones. Hell, Twilight came out a few months ago and the effects haven't held up at all.

Sedai

05-04-09, 10:47 AM

In comparison a film made in the 1980's isn't really that old , though it was an era where films began using cheap dumb looking special effects that obviously haven't held up.

The effects in Blade Runner still hold up, and IMO still look better/more convincing that most of the CGI crap we have these days...

meatwadsprite

05-04-09, 11:44 AM

You can't really say the 80s began using "cheap dumb-looking special effects" any more so than any other era.

Pretty much every movie I've seen with goofball effects has come from the 80's - countless films using 2D animated lightning and constant amateurish green screen usage. There were tons of breakthroughs in special effects during this decade and an equal amount of terrible looking movies.

Some excellent looking films from the 1980's.

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:h3jDMjLnyCO_jM:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Thething1982poster.jpg http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ZRbRCHDflUNQgM:http://legion.bombshellstudios.com/images/movies/the_thing2.jpg

This one's advanced animatronics still look amazing to date and professional camera-work is able to treat the effects with regular importance instead of trying to milk everything they can out of them.

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:56T2XsubYyO4QM:http://www.impawards.com/1984/posters/indiana_jones_and_the_temple_of_doom_ver1.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:l6vTdbc7r2tdjM:http://www.virginmedia.com/images/1banned-gal-indianajones.jpg

... and while more and more films began using computer generated effects , Temple of Doom was grounded to more practical effects - but it's ground breaking camera work and overly detailed sets make this one of the best lookers to date.

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:xaoPCO_kpRaBUM:http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/11/MPW-5741 http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:mr-Wu5eBd8XtQM:http://www.altfg.com/Stars/d/die-hard-bruce-willis.jpg

Pretty much all the best looking ones of this time , are so because of their camera work. Computer effects were starting to become interesting , but compared to our current CGI they just look terrible.

Some films from the 1980's with horrible effects.

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:2NDl1sILdEOKTM:http://www.sa3at-safa.com/images/products/849271.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:_ArDedDz-jUUtM:http://bruehoyt.com/superheroes/DC/batman/joker/jack2.jpg

This was right on the edge of the 90's , being released in 1989 - it used every cheap effect in the book. It didn't even look good for it's time , but it grossed a lot of money.

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:LxFOoZefbCKbDM:http://media.movieweb.com/news/10.2007/evilDeadUltimate.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:gaMO-jd5LH-VXM:http://www.obsessedwithfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/evildead202co3.jpg

It's hard to pin the blame on a film shot under $375,000 , but it's a great display of every cheap effect used by the big hollywood blockbusters of this time. Clay frame-by-frame animated creatures , funny animatronics , and massive amounts of corn syrup gore.

(Even though this film itself has some cool camera effects)

Iroquois

05-04-09, 11:55 AM

The worst special effect I ever saw was in Boorman's Point Blank - if you see it, you'll know which scene I'm talking about. Not only was it poor in terms of quality, the fact that it was a very obvious special effect ruined the hard-boiled reality that the film had strived so hard to achieve up until that point - a problem that would not cause problems with a film like, say, Tron.

meatwadsprite

05-04-09, 01:36 PM

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:B5hqNJW6hAp9HM:http://www.publispain.com/posters/jaws_3d.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ovL89Ta5U0M6_M:http://www.rollanet.org/~vbeydler/van/3dreview/friday-the-13th-poster.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:nrdmF39Y-QR__M:http://www.underground3dmovies.com/Spacehunter%2520contrasted%2520for%2520cover.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tBl_3BU6-1c/RZraP6QnGLI/AAAAAAAAANI/3vPtvxXDSHo/s400/Great+White+Shark+from+Jaws+III+1.jpg :rotfl:

Sedai

05-04-09, 02:33 PM

Hilarious, Meaty. That movie is SO bad...

meatwadsprite

05-04-09, 04:28 PM

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/twilight2.thumbnail.jpg

Twilight (Hardwicke, 2008) - 2.5

Wait a minute what is he doing to that girl ?

Dill-man

05-04-09, 05:38 PM

Wait a minute what is he doing to that girl ?
Exactly what you think he is doing.

MovieMan8877445

05-04-09, 08:03 PM

http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0203.jpg

The Graduate
Mike Nichols, 1967

This is one of those movies that I've always heard talk about, but it never really seemed to interest me that much. For some reason, though, I decided to buy it this past weekend and I'm really glad I did. I ended up loving it, and it seemed like something I wasn't going to like, so I'm happy about that. Actually I didn't like the first part of the movie that much, and I thought I was going to like it that much, but then once he decides to leave Mrs. Robinson, it gets a whole lot better. I already knew that I was going to like it some because the opening credits were played over 'Sound Of Silence' which is one of my favorite movies, but I think that whoever did the song choices must have loved that song, because it was used another 3 times throughout the movie. I actually think they had some great song choices in this.

Dustin Hoffman was near amazing in this, and it's pretty impressive because this was like his debut role. I've seen some of his newer stuff, but he never really impressed me all that much, but after seeing this I want to see some more of his older movies. This is just one of those feel-good movies that I think you have to see. If you're like me, then you won't end up being disappointed by it.

4

TheDOMINATOR

05-04-09, 08:05 PM

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace - 3

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7678/superman4.jpg

Perhaps my least favorite of the Superman saga (meaning, in this case, the four Christover Reeve Superman films and Superman Returns), but I still found it enjoyable and a somewhat worthy addition to the series. The villain that Lex Luthor created from Superman's DNA--the yellow and black guy whose weakness was the sun--was an interesting concept for an opponent for the Man of Steel, but I found the actor's performance of him somewhat cheesy and/or "over-the-top." There were other quirky little things throughout the film I didn't like, but this film centers around my absolute favorite comic book superhero: it deserves that 3/5 rating.

Superman Returns - 4.5-

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4388/supermanreturns.jpg

After finishing off the Superman saga, I can now say that, while The Quest for Peace is my least favorite of the series, Superman Returns may very well be my most favorite. I may need more time to re-evaluate those feelings, but after just seeing it today, I'm on the verge of being blown away.

First off, I watched the movie on Blu-ray, and the effects were astounding. The airplane scene was particularly mesmorizing, and was a pure visual splendor to watch. Also, I loved each and every one of the major performances, from Brandon Routh's potrayal of the Man of Steel, to Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, to Kevin Spacey's portrayal of the insidious Lex Luthor. The acting was all top-notch.

On top of all that, I also found a lot of profound meaning strewn throughout the movie. For example, the scene in which Superman lifts the mountain of Kryptonite. This shows not only his true strength, but his great willpower to do what he thinks is right: save Earth and all the people in it.

I understand that Superman Returns gets a fair amount of flack, but I absolutely loved it. Hell, I may consider it Top 100 material for me upon a second viewing.

The Cat in the Hat - 3+

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4517/cat20in20hat20movie.jpg

Eh, what can I say? I actually liked it quite a bit, but then again, I'm a huge fan of Mike Myers. I found the story pretty entertaining and found myself laughing out loud more often than I had remembered (I'd seen The Cat and the Hat once before, a while ago). It's an all-around decent wacky comedy.

Transylvania Twist - 4-

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5328/gr203909d1.jpg

A hilarious, clever spoof of all the big-time horror movies like Dracula, The Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th to name a few. The story is entertainingly wacky and the script is very, very funny. It was a real pleasure to watch. Plus, the lead actress (Teri Copley) is smoking-freakin'-hot.

B-card

05-04-09, 08:20 PM

In the past week I watched few movies here are those that I can remember

Gladiator(Ridley Scott 2000)-Sometimes I wonder what makes a good movie really good is it the story or is it the actors or just the entertainment.What Ridley Scott did with Gladiator is that he combined all that in to a movie with well told story,high class cast and outstanding vision and representation of ancient Rome.This movie has something for everyone-entertainment(the bloody battles)great performances by Russel Crowe for which he was awarded,the late Richard Harris who was in the movie for 20 minutes but made two great speaches that are worthy of our attention as an audince and Oliver Reed.The Camerawork was outstanding with huge landscapes and montages that make it look a little sureal. 5
http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/061106/1541__gladiator_l.jpg

Dragonball:Evolution(James Wong 2009)-I don't know I have never been fan of the animated show it seemed just boring with all those flying and I have never imagined that there would be a live action movie I wonder what's next-Naruto :D.The script was alwful and when you expect an epic battle in the end the movie ends :eek: the only thing that was kind of Ok were the efects and mostly the slow motion it was done pretty well,but that doesn't excuse the movie of beign stupid. 1
http://screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/dragonball-evolution.jpg

My Bloody Valentine:3D(Patrick Lussier 2009)-Well I didn't watch it in 3D and probably that's the main reason I didn't like this film that much.I guess it was the 3D that this movie relied on because we've seen the scenario in Halloween Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street and we all know how it's going to end and that the girl is going to save the day,however there was a little headbanging about who the killer really was.I can't say I didn't enjoy this movie couse I certanly did it was really well made the murders were pretty stunning and seeng Jensen Ackels in something other than Supernatural was really refreshing.3
http://blogs.theage.com.au/schembri/bloody.jpg

FanBoys(Kyle Newman 2008)-comedies about road trip are always funny except maybe Eurotrip(or I don't know I've seen it only once)and it's not just about the characters but the people who they meet on the road and movies like those always invite some big names from the industry(or not so big but atleast famous)-you have Seth Rogen,William Shatner,Danny McBride,Kevin Smith(I would've be surprised if he wasn't in this one)and half of the cast of the Star Wars episodes.And exactly those guys make the movie really good and Kristen Bell mayby :rolleyes: 4
http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/KristenBel_PrincessLeia.jpghttp://nerdvana.freedomblogging.com/files/2009/02/25_fanboys_lg.jpg

Far Cry(Uwe Boll 2008)-I don't know how did that happen I swear I never gave money for it it was there in the internet I just wanted to check it and how he ruined my favorite game but I watched insted I was hoping maybe for some T&A but there was none(what happend usually bad action movies from the 90's relied on that)so I might have saved you.Well it was horrible no doubt nothing like the game only the hawain shirt was the same and a few of the characters names.And why the hell would he wear a Hawain Shirt if there is no tropical island but just an old wood mill probably situated somewhere in Oregon.Man it was nasty
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/823/823662/far-cry-20070928010538766.jpg

Blade 2(Guillermo Del Toro 2002)-lately from watching trilogies I realised that the second part is always the best-Spiderman 2,X-2,some other trilogy that I can't remember right now.So this goes for Blade 2,not that the first and the third part were any bad but this one was a bit darker bloodier exactly the way Vampire movies should be.Guillermo Del Toro has proven himself really to be a visionary director by choosing the Czech Republic with its dark and gothic look 4.5
http://thecia.com.au/reviews/b/images/blade-2-1.jpg

Push(Paul McGuigan 2009)-interesting thing is that usually some directors even trying to make different movies they use technique from their previous movies like McGuigan's last movie Lucky Nimber Slevin with his typical Guy Ritchie spin-off and this time this techique is used in a science fiction movie(I won't tell you what you'll sense it when you watch it).And why put a Ferrari in the poster if you are not going to throw it with your mind.I have always enjoyed watching Chris Evans and his smart ass characters and seeing Dakota Fanning drunk makes it even better it sends a great message to 13 year olds out there3
http://www.mtv.com/movies/photos/p/push_080807/push1.jpg

Crank 2(Neveldine/Taylor 2009)-I believe that the writers when they wrote the first one thought that it was a serious action movie and it didn't turned out like that and with the second one they went with the hardcore fun and violence and insanity.Again like the first movie the action is to the fullest and the adrenaline is pumping and Jason Statham is kicking ass like crazy.For God sake he was keeping his brother head alive in a fishtank :D how crazy is that a ? 4
http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/crank2_m.jpg

MovieMan8877445

05-05-09, 12:32 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/168888915_7df34f29fe.jpg

On The Waterfront
Elia Kazan, 1954

This is one of those movies that I've been hesitant on watching for a couple of weeks now. I knew that it was very high on AFI's top 100, but I always looked at the cover on amazon and for some reason it always came off as it looked like a soap opera. I don't know how exactly when I looked at it again a few minutes ago, though. I'm very glad that I decided to watch it, though, because I ended up really loving it I must say. The last 10 minutes of the movie may be one of the most inspirational movie scenes that I've ever seen. It wouldn't have been the same without Marlon Brando. This is what I would call a true gangster movie, because it actually portrays gangsters in how they would actually appear in real life. Yeah it'd be a little different for today's time, but still pretty real.

Marlon Brando is an amazing actor, and it's funny because I always hear talk about him, but I've never really thought about it. One of the reasons for that because the only other film I've seen him in besides this one is The Godfather. Hell, I'd say that he did better in this than he did in The Godfather. I want to see some more of his movies now. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone, because it's a film that I think everyone could love.

4.5

Harry Lime

05-05-09, 12:41 AM

MM's just plowing through these classics, great to see. On the Waterfront is one of my favourites, no question about that. I still remember how much it affected me the first time I saw it, a true classic.

"You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley."

re93animator

05-05-09, 02:01 AM

Along Came a Spider (2001)
http://i39.tinypic.com/qrkn44.jpg

What I deciphered from this was mainly just another flick put out to gain some money. It differs from the novel quite a bit (most likely to try fitting a sensible plot into an average run time). It is an unintelligent, yet fun thriller.

The film starts out rather well, and starts becoming more preposterous as the minutes add up. It contains a pretty poor script with some laughably unbelievable moments (notably the highly advanced computer tricks they use). Though, I did think the movie was a joy to watch. Along Came a Spider is a high quality b-movie with some fun, nicely tuned suspense moments.

The always reliable Morgan Freeman turns out a great performance, and the criminally underrated Michael Wincott (many may know as Top Dollar from The Crow) shines as Gary Soneji. Other than those two, the acting is pretty sloppy. The score was an unexpected pleasure; a mix between classic style suspense and modern thriller music.

Overall, the film has too many flaws to label as good, but is a fun little suspense flick. I believe having read the novel beforehand added a bit to my understanding, and possibly even to my enjoyment of the film; and I would recommend reading it before watching it.

http://i43.tinypic.com/245d0e0.jpg

2_5

Harry Lime

05-05-09, 02:49 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/killerofsheep.jpg
http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/480_killer-of-sheep.jpg

Killer of Sheep (1977, Charles Burnett) 3.5

Fenwick

05-05-09, 07:44 AM

MM your really rattling off these classics at quite some pace. Good job my man.

And Harry Lime, Killer of Sheep is one of the forgotten ones. It has a little bit of Sembene about it. Considering how vital the film is, both in terms of Independent American Cinema and black culture, it remains largely unseen, at least in popular avenues anyway. I'm delighted you enjoyed it and I hope a few others can see it soon.

Sedai

05-05-09, 10:57 AM

Perhaps my least favorite of the Superman saga (meaning, in this case, the four Christover Reeve Superman films and Superman Returns),

Superman 3 & 4 are no longer recognized as part of the "official" Superman Saga, at least according to the creators and the studio. Actually, neither is the theatrical release of Superman II (Richard Lester version) with the Paris nonsense in it. That has all been stricken from the mythos, with the "official" story containing:

Superman : The Movie
Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut
Superman Returns

They had to do this in order to make some sort of sense out of the continuity. Bogart may always have Paris, but Superman does not, as those events now never happened.

The three arch-villains were release from the phantom zone by the explosion caused by one of Lex Luthor's missiles that Supes tossed up into space. Also, instead of Superman's mother being his guide in Superman II, Jor-el is actually part of the story again (as was originally intended by Richard Donner), which keeps the Father/Son motif intact from the first film, which is then continued in Superman Returns.

Also - Lois discovers Superman's identity in a completely different way in Superman II, when she shoots him in the hotel room, instead of Superman tripping on a bearskin rug and falling into a fire (I mean, come on!!).

Last, but certainly not least - Superman gives up his powers AFTER he gets busy with Lois, which explains the existence of Superboy in Superman Returns, a plotline that makes absolutely no sense if Lester's version is used.

Personally, I abhor Lester's Superman II, with all its silly site gags and the goofball Paris sequence. Donner's film, although technically rough, as some of the scenes and effects were never fully completed, is a much better film, in my opinion. The savior storyline is intact, the disco skaters getting ice cream cones in the face are gone, and that terrible scene with Lex and the tree poem is nowhere to be found. Another example of studio meddling in the 80s, that has now been corrected by the original creators of the project, restoring the mythos to their orginal intended state.

meatwadsprite

05-05-09, 12:55 PM

I had some considerably more in depth write ups on these ones , but I lost them by being dumb :mad:

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:5pf91dBBkt9Y3M:http://pammyshep.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/raiders.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:W9Fsj2kzeXAmHM:http://deadhours.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/indiana_jones_and_the_last_crusade2.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:F5XEXXL8NbOVhM:http://subbooks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/raiders.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:hCMrA41l3an-7M:http://www.pinballnews.com/games/indianajones/019.jpg

Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade

Only recently have I realized how different Temple of Doom is from the rest of them , Raiders and Crusade both share in common a more adventure/mystery approach. They also share Jones as a professor who introduces the artifacts he will pursue , both have a wide variety of inventive puzzles and beautiful action scenes. Although I will say I slightly prefer Raiders now , they're both exciting films going harder and farther than anything of similar nature.

4.5

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:Im_PfcgTIzgHOM:http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/12/10/indiana-jones-crystal-skull.jpg http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:vKV5lmud9NpbdM:http://smartcine.com/images/indiana_jones_4_still.jpg

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The only one that doesn't get better every time I see it , introducing a much seasoned Jones into the Cold War era - his position from Last Crusade is swapped now , with him playing the wise knowledgeable one and Shia Labouf the more curious one. Same great music , different but still awesome visual style , but the story is a bit behind the rest.

It's half-departure from it's serial roots , make it feel less of an addition to the series than a very respectful nod.

4

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:HeQQyqCHYu_ORM:http://quemovida.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/jcvd-le-film.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:FAoURLrKLg6ViM:http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jcvd.jpg

JCVD

A semi-autobiographical film about Jean Claude's troubles with landing decent roles and his custody case. Your introduced with an amazing action packed tracking shot set to Baby Huey's Hard Times , but unfortunately the rest of the film is not quite as engaging. It unexpectedly turns into a bank hostage crisis and Claude himself doesn't take center stage until much later in the movie - but when he does it starts turning around.

3.5

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:Xeqd7-wipeCIxM:http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l43/gooniesnvrsadie8/Goodfellas.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:k_ISFW-DchGddM:http://www.boxofficereport.com/images/films/090goodfellas.jpg

Goodfellas

Brilliant chemistry between the hundreds of characters , their sense of family allow the picture to carry a heavy handed sense of realism and the giant musical soundtrack fill whatever air is left in this fast paced , genuinely human tale of respect , tradition , and everything else.

5

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:jKCjB5X-Y2zYNM:http://thisdistractedglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/Aliens%2520poster%25201.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:G-l7w4Sh9fwQdM:http://www.michaelbiehn.net/graphics/scrncaps/aliens/aliens064.jpg

Aliens

Some strong acting performances and character design make this one of the more interesting sci-fi pictures in a desolate genre , but it's an action movie at heart and doesn't look good enough to contend with the best. There are some really great shots throughout , like the opening one - but most of it takes place in very small settings and it's camera-work is decent at best.

3

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:4mndZarYZVXxgM:http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/3/K/4/eternalsunshinepubv.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:EZEecnKUM35PCM:http://www.telecable.es/personales/liviarm/Eternal%2520sunshine%2520of%2520the%2520spotless%2520mind_screen_00.jpg

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

A work of genius , as Joel is erasing his former girlfriend Clementine from his memory he realizes how perfect she is for him - as everything does in the movie it works in multiple ways. As his bad memories of her are deleted from his mind , his image of her becomes more flawless - at the same time he seems aware of her deep need to explore and be free , which totally contradicts his shy changeless personality.

The structure of this movie does take multiple forms , there is Joel who is sleeping and his reality is that of your regular dream and then there is the narrative of those doing the erasing. Both are very convincing and explore important questions. Lots of fun comes from the senseless antics of surreal dream state , many things that happen make complete sense to me on a level no other films have touched - because my dreams are like this. Kate Winslet probably has the toughest role to play as she not only plays her own character , but Joel's character as well and his interpretation of her - she does an excellent job.

Dialogue is simple and universal , it's one of the few amazing movies that tries to find the heart of love and what it is to love someone or something. It's a film that confirms that reality is not pure , but we try our best to find purity and even if it doesn't last forever it's great.

5

B-card

05-05-09, 03:38 PM

[Rec](Juame Balaguero Paco Plaza 2007)-when a friend of mine told me about this movie he never mentioned the American Remake-Quarantine and to tell you the Americans didn't even bother to change something in the script I think they just translated it in English.So if you've seen Quarantine you know what exactly this movie is all about and how it ends.However it still creeps you at moments 3.5

http://images25.fotosik.pl/191/6565ad9f28873175.jpg

Dill-man

05-05-09, 07:36 PM

The Battle of Algiers

https://mediascapes.wikispaces.com/file/view/battle_of_algiers.jpg

This is an increadible movie. I'm a big history nut, but I know little of the history behind the Algerian revolution, nor had I ever heard of this movie until recently (in the historical movies thread :p). I came know that this movie wasn't a documentary, but I found myself questioning myself greatly (to the point of convincing myself) that there was no way at least some of the footage was stock or filmed at the actual events. Lo and behold, I found out on Wikipedia that it was all filmed for the movie. This in itself is a testement to the amazing production that this movie is, especially for the time. The actors were fine around the board, but I thought the man who played Colonel Mathieu did an excellent job. Another thing that amazes me about the movie is that it never romantacizes or is biased in its storytelling. Sure, at times I thought it would be leaning one way, but then a later scene would negate the lean. Overall, if your into historically based movies, or just want to see a very well-done and intriuging movie, see The Battle of Algiers.

4.5+

MovieMan8877445

05-05-09, 07:38 PM

http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0193.jpg

The General
Clyde Buckman and Buster Keaton, 1927

I think it's pretty much offical now, that I can basically watch any kind of movie there is. I'm now pretty much alright with silent films now. This was actually pretty good, but one of the main things I'm relieved about is I was able to keep up with the story, which I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to do. One of my main problems with this is that the story gets sort of tedious in the movie. Well maybe that wasn't the right word for it, but it seemed that the same exact thing was happening throughout the whole movie. I guess I shouldn't be complaining that much because I'm sure they weren't able to do a whole lot with silent movies.

Buster Keaton was actually very funny in this, even though he seemed to be incredibly stupid at times. For anyone looking to start watching silent movies, I think this would be a pretty good start. I plan on continuing with some Charlie Chaplin movies next.

3.5

mark f

05-05-09, 07:41 PM

... I'm sure they weren't able to do a whole lot with silent movies.

???:rolleyes:

Fenwick

05-05-09, 08:57 PM

I'm sure they weren't able to do a whole lot with silent movies.

Just wait until you see Murnau's Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927). Simply one of the greatest visual accomplishments ever comitted to celluloid. Try Eisenstein's Potemkin and his theoretically outmoded compatriot Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera. You may want to look at D.W.Griffith as well, although I wouldnt start with Intolerance or Birth of a Nation (Broken Blossoms would be my suggestion).

You're sensible starting with Keaton, although I dont like The General as much as Sherlock Jnr. which is sheer genius for its time. Its clear your working off the AFI lists at the moment so i'm sure you'll see all the Chaplin favourites, City Lights, Modern Times and what not.

They could do everything with silent movies, after all there was a greater emphasis on the properties of the filmic image. Some find silents richer and more rewarding than the sound films of today.

MovieMan8877445

05-05-09, 09:08 PM

Just wait until you see Murnau's Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927). Simply one of the greatest visual accomplishments ever comitted to celluloid. Try Eisenstein's Potemkin and his theoretically outmoded compatriot Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera. You may want to look at D.W.Griffith as well, although I wouldnt start with Intolerance or Birth of a Nation (Broken Blossoms would be my suggestion).

You're sensible starting with Keaton, although I dont like The General as much as Sherlock Jnr. which is sheer genius for its time. Its clear your working off the AFI lists at the moment so i'm sure you'll see all the Chaplin favourites, City Lights, Modern Times and what not.

They could do everything with silent movies, after all there was a greater emphasis on the properties of the filmic image. Some find silents richer and more rewarding than the sound films of today.

I'll have to check those out, Fenwick. I'll probably see City Lights next because I'm trying to work my way through AFI's Top 100 right now.

linespalsy

05-05-09, 09:15 PM

last weekend i rewatched two favorites. the sun's burial on video. it's a beautiful film with an idiosyncratic mediterranean-style soundtrack. oshima seems to have casted people specifically for their faces and gone for a sculptural or painterly eye instead of naturalistic acting and staging. it's a gorgeous film about miserable jerks, and i like it.

then i went with my girlfriend to the brooklyn public library to see steamboat bill, jr. in an auditorium with a live pianist. :)

http://photos.shebloggedbynight.com/images/A_3/5/2/2/12253/gzdfosg4.jpg

linespalsy

05-05-09, 09:27 PM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention seeing Wolverine. My brother Ben was all like "hey bro, let's go see Wolverine" to which I breathed deep and scoffed heartily. Then he said "my treat" so I went and now he has to watch Black Rain (the Imamura one) as the next thing he sees. (He's been putting it off so I made a deal with him that if Wolverine sucked he'd have to get on that next. I'm so clever.)

mark f

05-05-09, 09:27 PM

I was going to wait for a reaction to post these. I've posted them here before but don't recall much of a reaction. One of the things silents could do was make terrific action/suspense scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT4_hpTKJ6s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v-kZzfec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEcTjhUN_7U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS3nm2Qz05U&feature=related

Jerry Shaw

05-05-09, 09:51 PM

Push - 4

I really didn't mind this, i thought it was actually pretty cool, better than Jumper, IMO.

Dill-man

05-05-09, 11:19 PM

My Left Foot

http://media.movieweb.com/prod/i/L/P/DVHBcJHLWJDiLP_l.jpg

(Horrible cover, I think they just took a picture of Daniel Day-Lewis and threw it on there without ever watching the movie... when does he ever look like that?)

Wanna feel like a spoiled brat? Watch this movie :p. No, but seriously this is an excellent movie that is truly moving. Daniel Day-Lewis is no doubt the best actor of the past 20 years, and I'd present this movie as evidence. It's astounding how believable he makes himself. The story is fantastic, despite some little cliches, and presents a well-rounded look at a living with such a horrible condition, and rising above it. Perhaps my favorite part is that it doesn't skim over the dark-sides (such as when he attempts to cut himself and with his alcoholism) which in the end makes the story more inspiring, because you can better relate to him. If your feeling down on your life, watch this movie. It will inspire you.

4.5

MovieMan8877445

05-06-09, 12:17 AM

http://www.independentcritics.com/images/citizen%20kane%20SPLASH.jpg

Citizen Kane
Orson Welles, 1941

Yeah I finally got around to watch the supposed 'greatest movie ever made' and it's really not. Yeah, I really wanted it be that, but it just wasn't, even though I still ended up really liking it. My score probably would've been at least .5 of a point higher if it didn't lose my interest during the last 20 or 30 minutes. Granted it may have had something to do with me being sort of tired during that part, even though I don't seem to be tired anymore. I love how they seemed to tell his lifestory, though, like through trying to find out what rosebud really meant his whole story was basically told. I think that was something pretty unique.

The best thing about this easily is Orson Welles acting, there is no doubt about that. His acting was damn near amazing in this, but it's still not the best acting I've ever seen or anything. I still think this is a film that I think everyone needs to see at least once, but as far as AFI's Top 3 greatest films ever made, I liked Casablanca and The Godfather a hell of a lot better than this. There's still no dening that it's an incredibly well made film and ahead of it's time.

3.5+

mark f

05-06-09, 01:31 AM

I'm not sure I can post all these in one sitting or not. If you have questions about them, please ask because I plan on getting better. :cool:

Perfect Stranger (James Foley, 2007) 2.5 - This is one of those Basic Instinct-type thrillers (although I give B I 4). The main difference seems to be that they grafted a well-thought-out but uninteresting first two-thirds to a totally-insane, throw-everything-to-the-wind finale. In a supporting role, Bruce Willis is surprisingly sexy.

The Reader (Stephen Daldry, 2008) 3 - This is a complex, watchable film which really isn't nearly as involving as it should be. Yes, PW, it's crammed with sex which might make you feel uncomfortable, but it's more interested in how someone would rather die than be thought of as illiterate. Most of the cast do a fine job considering they're all playing the walking dead.

The Elephant Man (David Lynch, 1980) 4 - Lynch proved himself to be human here, using many of the techniques he perfected in Eraserhead to tell the true-life story of a deformed man who was treated as a freak although he was a misunderstood gentle soul. The film takes its time to build to several shattering emotional moments, and both John Hurt as the ill-fated Elephant Man and Anthony Hopkins as his doctor are incredible.

A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971) 4 - Extremely disturbing take on the criminal justice system shows a no-win situation where the brutes and their victims are ultimately both treated as fodder for politicians. Kubrick is able to film "the old ultra-violence" as exhilaratingly as anyone, so many people feel as sick as Alex does halfway through, although I daresay my students love sex and violence and always will until they stop breathing.

The Man in the Iron Mask (James Whale, 1939) 3 - The director of Frankenstein and Showboat (1936) brings his talents to his best later film, involving the Four Musketeers and the gentle twin brother of the rascally King of France. There is plenty of derring-do, as well as plot twists and romance in store when Louis Hayward woos Joan Bennett.

Niagara (Henry Hathaway, 1953) 2.5 - I spent part of my honeymoon at Niagara Falls, and I'll say that this film shows the majestic beauty of the Falls better than any other film. You can add in a young Marilyn Monroe who's trying to get rid of her husband Joseph Cotten, and you get a Hitchcock-lite thriller. It goes down easily but is forgettable soon enough.

The Upturned Glass (Lawrence Huntington, 1947) 2.5 - Interesting James Mason thriller which he produced after making Odd Man Out. The storytellng is rather unique in more than one way, so that keeps one involved even though the filmmaking is a bit more pedestrian than the script. I'd recommend it to anyone who remotely believes that they'd enjoy seeing a murderer tell his plan to a huge group before he actually commits the crime.

Crime and Punishment (Josef von Sternberg, 1935) 3 - Peter Lorre teams with exotic expressionism from Marlene Dietrich's fave director and cinematographer Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch) to make a sparkling, if abridged, version of the Dostoyevsky classic. Lorre is quite excellent, as is the Inspector played by Edward Arnold. There are just about as many significant shadows in this film as there are in Lorre's M, but this has more of a blatant cat-and-mouse feel to the plot and more of a guilt trip kept up throughout the film.

The Jackpot (Walter Lang, 1950) 2.5 - James Stewart wins a radio show jackpot and it turns his and his family's life upside down. The film is cute, if completely cliched and not terribly funny. It can't compare to a similarly-plotted flick from the same year, Champagne For Caesar. That one I give 3.5.

The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas (Val Guest, 1957) 2 - Hammer Films attempted to make a serious movie about this subject where an American hunter (Forrest Tucker) and an English scientist (Peter Cushing) argue about what to do if one comes in contact with a Yeti. There really isn't too much action, but it's exotic and semi-intelligent. Too bad it's totally inconclusive about what happens and why.

Rancho Deluxe (Frank Perry, 1975) 2.5+ - Picaresque tale of how Jeff Bridges and Sam Wanamaker try to take advantage of ranchers who are far out of their depth. The film should probably have been better since it's got a high quotient of humor, sex and action, but overall, it's lacking in structure and clarity. Even so, it does give Slim Pickens a juicy role.

rice1245

05-06-09, 01:32 AM

I really liked Citizen Kane because i looked at it more as poetry with images attached there are sooo many layers to it it probably takes multiple viewings.

anyway...

Grave of the Fireflies - 4

http://fireflowerinsolitude.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/grave_fireflies.jpg

So depressing! That little girl was THE cutest cartoon i've ever seen, it beats out any kid i've seen in real life in adorableness lol which sort of makes the movie even more depressing. It was really good though it follows two orphans trying to survive during WWII and the older brother constantly trying to feed his younger sister. Lookit how cute she is!!

http://laurenbuckley.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/grave-of-the-fireflies_0001.jpg

2001: A Space Odyssey - 5

http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0509.jpg

I am debating putting this in my top ten. Plus i just saw a GPS commercial where the GPS said "i'm sorry Dave, i'm afraid i can't do that." and i felt super special for knowing what they were referencing to :)

My Darling Clementine - 4.5

http://billsmovieemporium.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/ford_mydarlingclem_2.jpg

It was such a sweet western. I really liked the character dynamic between Wyatt and Doc Holiday. It didn't focus at the shootout at the O.K. Corral but rather what happened before that and i liked it :yup:

Y Tu Mama Tambien 4

http://pages.prodigy.net/zvelf/y_tu_01.jpg

Thank god i watched this when nobody was home >.> Anyway, the narrator would seem to be overly depressing because everytime he said anything it would be about something really sad but it really was just trying to teach people that you only live once and you should live in the moment. For example, when they go fishing the narrator tells the audience about how the man who was driving the boat will never go fishing again and work as a janitor in 2 years. Really sad right? Right but also teaching you to enjoy life in the moment while you can because it doesn't last.

X-men Origins: Wolverine - 3+

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OrbpZEdQdUM/SahiOuw7IfI/AAAAAAAAA-c/unZDBOqOdNA/s400/wolverine-origins-movie-1.jpg

Hugh Jackman is so beautiful. Anyway, good action, his claws looked...funky though and my friend told me (SPOILERS STOP READING NOW IF YOU CARE) that deadpool and weapon X are completely different people and that deadpool doesn't even die so that kinda sucks of them but meh, oh well.

I also watched Spiderman 2 again and i really really love that movie, it's definitely the best one and J.K. Simmons is hilarious

rice1245

05-06-09, 01:36 AM

If you haven't seen The Reader...don't read this...ha

The thing that i found most interesting about The Reader was the debate about Anna being a Nazi who was just doing what she was told and then being prosecuted. I always think that that's an interesting subject and can be applied to today with the people who might be prosecuted for torturing suspects to get a confession and how far the prosecutions go and how i personally don't believe that it's right for the government to tell you to do something and then prosecute you when you do but then again everything is situational..so anyway, i liked that The Reader produced thoughts like that even if it wasn't supposed to be the focus of the movie haha

Harry Lime

05-06-09, 04:07 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/Zatoichi_017.jpg

Zatoichi (2003, Takeshi Kitano) 3

Jerry Shaw

05-06-09, 05:17 AM

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - 5

Sedai

05-06-09, 11:52 AM

Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan (Meyer, 1982) 4

http://www.startrek2.com/movies/images/st2.jpg

It only took a year, but I finally got my Star Trek hating girlfriend to actually sit down and watch a Star Trek film. She loved it. This flick still holds up rather well, I must say.

So, just a week before the release of Star Trek, I break her defenses down, and now she will go see it!

adidasss

05-06-09, 02:04 PM

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/%7Eiisa/movies_old/movie_img/cinema_paradiso.jpg
I expected a lot from this film and was really disappointed with what I got. It had all the ingredients which should have made it my kind of film, it's set in Italy during the 40s and 50s, has a very melancholic vibe, it's about the cinema etc. but none of it seem to work. It's as if it tried to be Amarcord but did it so forcefully it came off being really lame. The humor was lame, the score (by Ennio Morriccone) was too sentimental which gave the entire film a forceful and very fake mood, the love story was clichéd (=lame), it was all just very very lame. I'll stick to Fellini and the Taviani brothers for my shot of Italian melancholy, thank you very much....:\ 2

undercoverlover

05-06-09, 02:13 PM

Think you know contemporary South Korean cinema?

You have no idea.

JSA: Joint Security Area

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/undercoverlover/JSA.jpg

stunning example of all that Korea has to offer. It totally upset my preconceptions about Korea political stories. Halfway through the movie the plot develops the notions of brotherhood despite political divide and turns more towards the comedy that occurs when guys are bonding. Then the action sweeps back in with a rush.

The style isn't too in your face but some shots are stunningly slick. A very interesting movie.

adidasss

05-06-09, 02:32 PM

I'm still trying to find a decently subbed version of that film...:\

Golgot

05-06-09, 03:33 PM

Think you know contemporary South Korean cinema?...

The style isn't too in your face but some shots are stunningly slick. A very interesting movie.

And all that from the director of Old Boy ;)

---

PS Adi i don't remember the subs being too bad on my copy. Think it's the Tartan release... (I'll check 'n correct later if wrong)

http://images.movie-gazette.com/revimg/joint-security-area.jpg

The female attache's English was rubbish tho ;)

undercoverlover

05-06-09, 04:02 PM

whats ur point?

adidasss

05-06-09, 04:22 PM

I think he means to say that it's the break out film from one of Korea's most famous directors so most people who follow Asian cinema will be familiar with it. ;)

@Golgs: Please do check, I don't believe my copy is from Tartan.

Pyro Tramp

05-06-09, 04:59 PM

I've got the Tartan release of it, don't remember having any issues with the subtitles

Sedai

05-06-09, 05:50 PM

Yeah, score one for Tartan. I watched the non Tartan release of Battle Royale the first time I saw the flick, but then saw the Tartan release later at Meaty's suggestion.

Night and Day.

Golgot

05-06-09, 06:28 PM

Just to confirm yep, it's the Tartan release that I've got.

(And yep uc, i was saying what Adi said ;). Gave you kudos for seeing and digging it tho :))

meatwadsprite

05-06-09, 06:54 PM

I sincerely hated JSA last time I saw it about two years back , I might have to give it another try although after going through Chan-Wook Park's entire filmography last time - Oldboy was the only one I really enjoyed.

Still , that guy knows how to make a gorgeous movie.

MovieMan8877445

05-07-09, 12:32 AM

http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/rsz/434/x/x/x/medias/nmedia/18/64/34/22/18874753.jpg

The Bridge On The River Kwai
David Lean, 1957

After watching Lawrence Of Arabia this weekend and being totally blown away, I thought it was about time to check out some more of Lean's movies. I know this is considered his best after Lawrence Of Arabia, so I immediately bumped it up on my Netflix queue. Something I've noticed about the two films of his that I've seen is that even though they're really long movies, they feel nowhere near that long. I mean this one was almost 3 hours long, but it barely felt like 2 hours. I guess I was just that into it. It's a very engaging story, so I can see why I was so sucked into the movie. One of the main things about this that really stuck out to me was the scenery, I mean it was beautiful. Especially that last shot as the camera is pulling away from the bridge right before the credits.

One of the most amazing things about this is how much of a great job William Holden did in this. I guess his character really helped him with that, because it seemed by the end of the movie he completely switched sides. I guess his character did have somewhat of a good reason for doing it, though. Even though I didn't quite love this as much as I loved Lawrence Of Arabia it's still a damn great movie and I'd recommend to anyone that hasn't seen it yet. It's definitely epic in every sense of the word.

5

Harry Lime

05-07-09, 02:43 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/manbitesdog.jpg

Man Bites Dog (1992, Remy Belvaux/Andre Bonzel/Benoit Poelvoorde) 3.5
Not your typical serial killer movie.

Daffodil

05-07-09, 05:27 AM

TWILIGHT. (2008 - Catherine Hardwicke)

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-11/43548684.jpg

I don't think it's as horrific as everybody made it out to be, but it's certainly not 'like, the greatest movie evar!' either. I'll give the film three things-- the cinematography was nice, there were plently of LOL moments, and Robert Pattinson had one nice jacket on. On the other hand, however, the CGI was bad, the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times ("what a sad, masochistic lion", "your moodswings are kinda giving me whiplash"), the cast was unimpressive.. I don't really want to go on. 3.5/10

meatwadsprite

05-07-09, 09:37 AM

That gun looks just big enough for me to watch the movie :cool:

Sedai

05-07-09, 10:16 AM

^^^

:rotfl:

Meanwhile:

Star Trek III - The Search for Spock (Nimoy, 1984) 3

http://www.remotecentral.com/dvd/strek3-2.jpg

A definite step down from Wrath of Khan, but it continues/completes the storylines started in Khan, so it is sort of necessary. More dark and operatic than Khan, it still manages to be much less epic, and one can barely accept Lloyd as the Klingon Commander. His voice and mannerisms are just too unique, so he pulls you out of the story constantly. He does a good job, it's just hard not to see Chris Lloyd instead of Kruge. They finally got a decent Space Dock in this flick, though.

Sleezy

05-07-09, 11:51 AM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/monstersquad.jpg

The Monster Squad (Dekker, 1987) 4

The much ornerier (but still tastefully funny) little brother to The Goonies, The Monster Squad is actually an impressive film, thanks in no small part to the authorship of Shane Black, who I don't think even knows how to write a bad film. The premise - a handful of nerds goes toe-to-toe with Dracula and his band of ferocious monsters - is as hilarious and fun as it is ridiculous. Many of the lines and adult innuendo in this film are pure gold, and although the monsters themselves (Dracula included) behave in sufficiently laughable ways, the costume and make-up work done by industry legend Stan Winston are amazing.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/nationaltreasure.jpg

National Treasure (Turtletaub, 2004) 3_5

Okay, I'm a history buff, and I like this film. I don't think that makes me a hypocrite. Rather, I think it means I don't subscribe to the notion that historical accuracy is a prerequisite for a good film. That's usually the case, certainly, but I think National Treasure just wants to play in the historical sandbox. Now, I'm not going to say it's the best film I've ever seen. But I do think it, like its players, are enjoyable enough that all the many parts make a fun, dynamic whole. There are missteps aplenty, sure, but a brisk cat-and-mouse pace is maintained throughout, and there's just enough historical stone-skipping to put the film on par with the kinds of films that target "couch potato" history buffs (and I'd include the Indiana Jones films in this category, to some degree). I mean, what can I say? It's a fun, goofy story.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/xmen.jpg

X-Men: The Last Stand (Ratner, 2006) 3_5

I know this is a pretty unpopular film, and believe me, it's certainly not ideal for me (as a fan of X-Men for many years). But I haven't been entirely pleased with the Singer films, either. Of course, they're easily more internally driven and competent, but much of the events in those first two films happen behind the scenes. To maintain a sense of realism and keep things grounded to personalities, a lot of the characters' mutant abilities are muted or merely suggestive. And I guess I appreciate this; nobody wants a film to degrade into an overblown light show. But after awhile, I really just want to see some cool $#!%.

I also feel like the first two films only skimmed the surface level of the mutant issue, representing it as merely a talking point issue rather than an actual ticking bomb. It's easy to connect the mutant struggle with racism and the 1960s Civil Rights movement, but until you see mutants rioting in the streets or marching for equal rights, the connection is really built on principle alone. In Ratner's film, the mutant issue is much more global, and more substantial events - like the development of the mutant cure - are happening.

And while the acting in any of these films is, in some cases, barely passable, I think Ratner's film hits a little closer to the mark. Sure, we need some true humanity (mutantity?) in the chief characters, but they're still comic characters. Part of the reason why Spider-Man worked so well is because it used largely the same language and character development as the comics. Sometimes, a comic film ought to feel like a comic.

That said, I was delightfully impressed with the depth of Ian McKellen's Magneto in this film moreso than in either Singer film. I've never liked this casting decision, and it was made worse by his depiction as someone who only considers the delivery of the mutant race by destroying humanity in one swift motion. But in Ratner's film, the character seems to understand more that it's an evolving issue, and that the war can't simply be won overnight. And he also seems to acknowledge and respect that his adversary, Professor Xavier, wholeheartedly works to achieve equality for mutants as well. To me, that's a rounded character.

Sedai

05-07-09, 06:16 PM

*Faints*

Ok - What did you do with Sleezy? ;)

I just can't agree, although I DO like X3 now and then. Singer juggled the ensemble cast of X2 perfectly, while nailing an atmosphere and tine that I was just completely over the moon about. X2 remains one of my favorite comic flicks ever. A couple of things don't work, but overall, it's a great film, and it's directly so well. I do love a few of the scenes in X3 though, especially the scene at the house with Charles and Phoenix...

Sleezy

05-07-09, 07:01 PM

I just can't agree, although I DO like X3 now and then. Singer juggled the ensemble cast of X2 perfectly, while nailing an atmosphere and tine that I was just completely over the moon about. X2 remains one of my favorite comic flicks ever. A couple of things don't work, but overall, it's a great film, and it's directly so well. I do love a few of the scenes in X3 though, especially the scene at the house with Charles and Phoenix...

Yeah, and don't get me wrong, I like aspects of Singer's films, too. The tone in the majority of the first film in particular is spot on. The isolation of the mutants is really felt pretty heavily through Rogue and Wolverine, which I think was crucial. But like I said, the Singer films (or their resolutions, I should say) are largely inconsequential, with most people in the world being completely oblivious that this war is even being waged. In that respect, I like that X3 brings more of that to the forefront.

During the development of X3, I remember groaning endlessly because I knew the Phoenix would be a major player of the film. In my opinion, she's the most transparent, useless character in all of Marvel Comics. But the film ultimately handled it well, changing the orientation of the entity to reflect a dormant side of her personality, and that worked much better.

I also like how Ratner's film wasn't afraid to take risks, like in the Charles/Phoenix scene you mentioned... or later in the film, with Magneto falling into some "bad luck," as it were. These are major events that have lasting effects (well, sort of), and neither of the Singer films really took that leap.

Further, regarding my desire to just see more cool action, I'll bet that if you polled a group of people who have seen X2, the majority will say their favorite part of the film was the opening sequence with Nightcrawler. Not only is it dynamic, exciting, and just plain cool, it's also downright X-Men through and through. And for me, those moments were too few and far between in Singer's films.

And while I'm not entirely crazy about some of the character additions in X3, I rather think I prefer to have them stick around as opposed to fleeting cameos. For example, Colossus was a missed opportunity, I think - his backstory is extremely heartfelt - but it was nice to see him for more than 30 seconds all the same. And as corny as he could have been, Beast was done EXTREMELY well. :yup:

undercoverlover

05-07-09, 07:12 PM

I've read alternate versions of x-men screenplays and the introductions to the characters were much better in unproduced versions. I agree on the Nightcrawler point, that scene was badass.

filmmakers missed a chance to flesh out some really interesting characters, leaving Storm as a side note in the first film was a huge mistake. And Colossus was such an afterthought, a real shame. I thought all the characters had found their footing by the third film but then they were also flipped on their heads. Turns out Professor X has a potentially dark side. Wolverine is a big pu$$y. Jean Grey is actually a real psycho who is incredibly annoying. And as usual cyclops is useless.

Overall I really enjoyed all the films but the character development was awful.

mark f

05-07-09, 07:22 PM

Tell No One (Guillaume Canet, 2006) 3.5

http://sachem.suffolk.lib.ny.us/Reel_Rebels/images/TellNoOnePoster.jpg

Tense French movie-movie, which plays out as both a compelling mystery and an action-thriller, tells the story of Dr. Alexandre Beck (François Cluzet) whose wife is murdered. Although the doctor is a prime suspect, he's cleared and the death is attributed to a serial killer although things never really did add up. Eight years later, at just about the time that two bodies are found near the crime scene, Beck receives an e-mail which seems to be from his wife. Eventually, Beck is forced to take it on the lam, but he's aided by several unusual compatriots in trying to prove his innocence and find out if his wife is still alive.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/madaboutmovies/2008/07/large_TellNoOne1.jpg

What sets this flick apart from the usual paint-by-numbers thriller is that it has a strong plot and characters so that it's difficult to solve the mystery but it's easy to sympathize with the characters. Then, when you're totally drawn into the mystery, the film throws in one of the most-impressive chases by foot ever recorded (probably only topped by the one in Point Break) and adds a new level of characters to make everything even more complex and seemingly-unravellable (how's that for a word?). I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual characters and the way their fates played out. The only thing I'm worried about is that this is apparently going to be remade in English in 2011. The plot is so strong that if they cast it with character actors it could work. Unfortunately, I'm guessing they're going with big names.

The Green Pastures (William Keighley, 1936) 3

http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/cover_art3/greenpastures.jpg

Simple, ultimately-moving tale, with an all-African American cast, which tells the Bible stories from the perspective of poor people living in the Deep South. A Sunday school teacher relates to his students what De Lawd God (Rex Ingram) might have done and why he did it while he explains all the major incidents from the early chapters of the Old Testament. Many of the stories are told humorously, and the characters all speak in what may seem as cliched "ethnic" dialogue, but the morals of all them come home loud and clear and nobody comes across as anything but a human being.

http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/Portals/0/CalendarImages/GreenPastures.gif

I realize that many people may find plenty of racism in the film since it was written and directed by whites, but once again, I find it much ado about nothing. To change the way the people speak would render the film pointless, and I understand that lots of misguided people want to burn The Birth of a Nation, Song of the South and Gone With the Wind, but this is a sweet, charming film which snuck up on me at the end and left me crying. Besides that, it has a wonderful cast and really allows Rex Ingram (the genie from The Thief of Bagdad (1940)) to shine in multiple roles.

Sleepy Hollow (Tim Burton, 1999) 4

http://www.zml.com/content/covers/40390_3.jpg

Washington Irving's classic short story was reimagined and adapted for the screen by Andrew Kevin Walker (SE7EN), and the new story fits in well with Burton's preoccupations of the bizarre. In fact, Johnny Depp's Ichabod Crane now seems to be trying to solve a series of murders which somehow resemble those in the earlier Fincher film, but since this is Burton, it never quite reaches the darkness level of SE7EN. It is incredibly entertaining, exciting and beautiful though even if some of the whodunnits of the plot are obvious and jettisoned in favor of an honest-to-goodness horror fantasy with more lopped-off heads than any movie I can think of.

http://www.yourprops.com/norm-45fc47f68192a-Sleepy+Hollow+(1999).jpeg

I'm not going into the new plot, but I will say that the cast is awesome. Christopher Lee plays the burgomaster who sends Depp from the NYC of 1799 to the "quaint" village of Sleepy Hollow to solve the murders. There he encounters the Town Council which consists of Michael Gambon (the second Dumbledore), Jeffrey Jones (Amadeus, Beetle Juice), Ian McDiarmid (The Emperor in Star Wars), Michael Gough (Tim Burton's Batman's Alfred), and Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon). He also becomes attracted to Gambon's daughter Christina Ricci who practices spells to try to protect him and those she loves. Crane is immediately told the story of the Headless Horseman (Christopher Walken), and before he can pooh-pooh it, more murders occur and Crane witnesses the Horseman in action. These Horseman scenes are all top-of-the-line and really push the movie into the upper echelon of the Burton filmography. Besides containing Emmanuel Lubezki's expert cinematography, as well as awesome sound, editing, and F/X, Danny Elfman's menacingly-operatic musical score brings chills down the spine.

http://www.timburtoncollective.com/images/walken2.jpg

When she was growing up, this was Sarah's fave film. (I let her buy it; shame on me since it's rated R for blood and decapitations.) Yesterday I posted images from this flick in her Happy Birthday thread, so she picked it to watch last night, and that's why I'm writing this. She liked it a lot, but no word on changing her favorite movie list. :)

P.S. Sleepy Hollow is meant for huge screens and loud stereos, but if you've never watched it, see it in whatever format, except for edited and silent.

rice1245

05-07-09, 07:33 PM

Funny, Sleepy Hollow was one of my favorite films growing up too! I just rewatched it again the other day and was surprised at the quality of it because my taste at the time that i loved it was just awful =\ but yeah it really is a beautiful movie! Some of the scenes are awesome i was thinking of actually painting the tree of the dead because that would make a kickass painting i think :yup:

mark f

05-07-09, 07:35 PM

I think you should do it. I mentioned earlier in my "review" of Barry Lyndon that Kubrick wanted the film to look like paintings from the 18th century. There were numerous times I thought I was looking at a painting during Sleepy Hollow too.

rice1245

05-07-09, 07:40 PM

Yeah it definitely had tons of paint-worthy shots in it. I only really paint and draw and stuff in school because i don't have any of the supplies myself as they get really expensive and there's only a month of school left and i have to finish my 2001: A Space Odyssey series so i probably won't have time for another painting :( but i am planning on getting paints eventually!

Anyway, my thoughts on the X-men thing....X2 (IMO) is ten times better than the third one, X2 is in my top three comic book movies ever made i love it so much.

honeykid

05-07-09, 10:15 PM

That gun looks just big enough for me to watch the movie :cool:

You should. Man Bites Dog is superb. Personally, I'd give it 5 but that's because I love it. On merit, it's probably closer to 3.5

Harry Lime

05-07-09, 11:09 PM

I agree with honeykid, Meat you may like it a lot, then again you may hate it. I could have given it a better rating, I'm still kind of thinking the film over. It has moments that are freaking hilarious, and then right after you're thinking, "should I be laughing at that?" That part with the old lady in the projects (you know the one HK), geez.

honeykid

05-07-09, 11:16 PM

...That part with the old lady in the projects (you know the one HK), geez.

I certainly do, it's my favourite scene. That was the scene when I knew I'd like the film. Not sure what that says about me, but then again, I don't care, I was just pleased to see that someone in the world had the same sense of humour I did. :p

Harry Lime

05-07-09, 11:38 PM

That scene sure did make me laugh too. Benoit Poelvoorde was excellent as the killer, his expressions and mannerisms made the character. Now that I've thought it over, I think I'm going to bump up my rating half a point.

B-card

05-07-09, 11:52 PM

Young People F*****g(Martin Gero 2007)-Awkwardly strange comedy that I haven't encountered before.I can't really say anything more :)
2.5
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/ypf7.jpg

Diary of the Dead(George A. Romero 2007)-Ah Infected movies mmm how not to love them, you always know that there is no escape the inevitability of dead walking around.Even though they are slow and disoriented you forget that they are always more than us nd that what scares me,yes zombie movies are terrifying waking one day and see that the whole world is dead,it is scary.It's almost like Romero shows us the same movie over and over again but from different point of view and has always the same message: We are screwed!!!If the Infected don't kill us we will destroy ourselves,the last line was outstanding: "Are we worth Saving?You tell me."Again Romero pleased us with a great infected movie I know that this movie took some negativ reviews but you should give it a Second chance it was really good :)
4.5
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/files/images/headers/diary-of-the-dead-interview-header.jpg

MovieMan8877445

05-08-09, 12:36 AM

http://www.libertyfilmfestival.com/libertas/wp-content/Searchers28_jpg.jpg

The Searchers
John Ford, 1956

I've said it before and I'll say it again: westerns is my favorite movie genre there is. It's also probably the genre where I've seen the least amount of movies, so the more I see, the more I love the genre. There is no doubt about it in my mind that this is one of the best. This even challenges Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid as my favorite western, even though it's still barely not quite as good. This film is completely perfect, and I don't think I have a single complaint with it at all. Except maybe that the ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I thought it was going to be, it felt a little rushed to me. Besides that, everything about this was great. The scenery was downright amazing, possibly the best scenery I've ever seen. The pacing was excellent, it didn't feel too short, but it didn't feel overly long and dragged out. The dialouge is very well thought out, with Wayne having some great lines in there.

The best thing about this, and what really helps drive the movie, is John Wayne himself. Not only is acting freaking perfect in this, he has something about him that just helps him seem really cool. I honestly believe why everyone sort of considers him the best man for westerns now. I only wish that I could've seen this before now. This definitely deserves it's very high spot on AFI's Top 100, there's no doubt about that. Actually it probably deserves even higher than it is now. Anyone who generally loves movies would love this one, I'm postive.

5

Iroquois

05-08-09, 01:55 AM

http://www.boingboing.net/200805271045.jpg

After Hours (Martin Scorsese, 1985) - 4.5

Wow. This is one of those movies which I can understand yet not understand how it could've become so underrated. A brilliantly madcap "bad night" movie which messes with your head in its sheer absurdity and also makes for thoroughly compelling viewing. Now I've got to find my own DVD copy.

http://goofybeast.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/days-of-heaven-1.jpg

Days of Heaven (Terrence Malick, 1978) - 4.5

This could be a 5 film, but I try not to give out 5 ratings the first time I see a film. But Days of Heaven is still a stunning film - aside from every frame being a photographic work of art, its minimal yet fascinating story and a score by Ennio Morricone make it seem like a film that's probably the closest to art I've seen this week.

http://www.horror-movies.ca/albums/REC/RECstill01.jpg

[REC] (Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza, 2007) - 4

Hooray for handheld horror movies! It was reasonably good, didn't really get especially scary until the last 20 minutes or so, but everything before then was still interesting anyway. Now if only Diary of the Dead could've been this good.

http://rogue.ph/images/uploads/14180__samurai_l.jpg

Le Samouraï (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1967) - 4+

Yet another amazing film. Like Days of Heaven, delightfully minimal in terms of plot and dialogue - just enough to stage a variety of largely silent set-pieces that are still fascinating to watch, especially due to Alain Delon's effortlessly cool performance as Jef. Even in the wake of a thousand imitators, it was still cool to watch.

Harry Lime

05-08-09, 02:32 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/repo_man.jpg
Repo Man (1984, Alex Cox) 2.5

Iroquois

05-08-09, 02:39 AM

Any thoughts?

Harry Lime

05-08-09, 02:54 AM

Any thoughts?

Too many...oh you mean about the film, eh? I understand why this film is loved by certain film fans, it has cult written all over it. And I appreciate the focus on Otto and his disillusion with it all, the punk rebel who probably doesn't even fit in with the other punks he knows. But the movie as a whole didn't appeal to me beyond the ideas presented in it. As well, I didn't really laugh at what I'm sure was supposed to be the funny parts (maybe it's the mood I'm in today, maybe a difference in sense of humour). And going in I did want to like the film, from what I'd been told and what I read it looked like something I'd really be interested in.

I did like that dude who mentions the plate of shrimp speech that you told me before, and I noticed when the Rodriguez brothers had the car stolen from them a sign on the restaurant said "Plate of Shrimp $2.50".

mark f

05-08-09, 03:33 AM

Some people see WAY too many good movies. I mean, when most movies being reviewed are 4/5 or higher, it just makes me believe that people haven't watched enough movies, even if you're watching multiple movies a day. Remember, the MoFo rating system has 11 different ratings. Why does it seem like most movies get the top three ratings? I don't get it but I guess that's because I'm old and out of touch. This isn't addressed at anyone, I just decided this moment to biatch and moan about it. Oh yeah. Remember to love movies! Just remember that most of them, even the good ones, aren't 4/5 movies. Or not.

Harry Lime

05-08-09, 03:49 AM

I think I remember you saying Mark that 4/5 is pretty well the ceiling for you, as you're more down with the old rating system of four stars. I was actually wondering the other day, which, if any films would you give a 5/5 to Mark? Your top ten?

mark f

05-08-09, 03:59 AM

Something like that. But at least it gives me some perspective to define excellence and use the full scale of ratings. It's the same on the bottom end. Most movies don't fall into the 0-1 range either, so when I use those ratings they really mean something. I do honestly believe that about 80% of movies fall in the 1.5-3.5 range. There are probably more 0-1 movies than 4-5 movies, but nobody watches them, so I understand why they aren't so prominent around the site. Then you get movies which are so awful that people love them. I'm not sure why they love them, but hey, I've seen a crapload of high ratings for utter nonsense which is supposedly art or just "out-there". Remember though that Casablanca is boring. Oh yeah, never mind; I'm "old".

Harry Lime

05-08-09, 04:08 AM

For me personally I think of it like so:

5/5 - 5%
4.5/5 - 5%
4/5 - 10%
3.5/5 - 10%
3/5 - 15%
2.5/5 - 15%
2/5 - 15%
1.5/5 - 10%
1/5 - 10%
0/5 or .5/5 - 5% (I rarely find any movies that don't deserve at least a 1/5)

But that's just a rough idea of how I grade films, and it's not set in stone or anything. If someone is watching only the classics, chances are they're going to really like at least 3/4 of them. And I have to agree that Casablanca is very boring, it's why I've watched it at least ten times.

mark f

05-08-09, 04:15 AM

I've watched Casablanca straight through about 30 times (even more often partially), but that's because I have a hard-on for Bogie.

Harry Lime

05-08-09, 04:24 AM

Ingrid Bergman's no slouch either, I love the way she smiles in that movie.

mark f

05-08-09, 04:29 AM

OK, I have to agree with you there and admit that I'm bi-, but look at all those damn sexy characters... Ugarte, Ferrari, Renault, Laszlo, Strasser, Sam, Yvonne, Sascha...

Yowza!

Iroquois

05-08-09, 04:55 AM

Fenwick

05-08-09, 08:11 AM

I love all of those Iroquois, except Rec. which was a bit crap.

Iroquois

05-08-09, 08:14 AM

Yeah, in hindsight I feel like I'm overrating it and overall it's probably closer to 3.5 but the entire final sequence was worth half a popcorn box on its own for me.

rice1245

05-08-09, 09:11 AM

I definitely do what Mark just described...but that's because if i honestly really liked a movie i feel bad giving it anything lower than a 3 or even a 3.5 =\

meatwadsprite

05-08-09, 10:50 AM

Some people see WAY too many good movies

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:LivRHLoLrIXouM:http://classes.kumc.edu/sah/resources/sensory_processing/images/bell_curve.gif

Personally I've been on a roll , the last really poor movie I saw was Platoon and pretty much everything else has been very good or excellent.

mark f

05-08-09, 11:31 AM

meaty has Total Recall, but now I have to confess that I think Platoon is a very good movie. :cool:

Iroquois

05-08-09, 11:32 AM

But...you're old

mark f

05-08-09, 11:44 AM

Toby Dammit!

meatwadsprite

05-08-09, 05:03 PM

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:wGg809XR5njOEM:http://the-jade-domain.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/4931.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:jNt_tM3b3NDjZM:http://www.netsphere.ws/Anime/lupin_cagliostro.jpg http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:V13lbxJUk8cyoM:http://www.dragonsdenuk.com/reviews/castle_of_cagliostro4.jpg

Castle of Cagliostro

Miyazaki's action packed debut , the film adaptation of the long running popular series Lupin the III is rightly filled with great action scenes and a mystery to unravel. Although there is nothing truly special about the film's plot , the characters make it more than its' original worth.

3.5

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:wJXu6TR3WtlB0M:http://www.startrek2.com/movies/images/st2.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:O7mH2gkKfi7KRM:http://brendenheiberger.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/star%2520trek%25202%2520birthday.jpg

Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan

Although many of it's effects are incredibly dated and there is huge lack of truly exciting action scenes , it's dialogue and characters drive the more understated nature of this sci-fi picture. I should probably note that this is the only Star Trek film I've seen and I've never seen the show either.

3

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:wGMMy-TLy_jimM:http://www.koreanbook.de/images/B00007GR8H.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:462QAI1l-5gEUM:http://pandahunnie.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/jsa03.jpg

Joint Security Area

I'm glad I revisited this one , very compelling political/suspense/mystery with tight visual style from director Park Chan Wook. Though it's acting and characters don't receive enough time for the story to be nearly as affecting and tragic as it tries to be , it's advanced visual and audio aesthetics fill the void.

3.5

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:HaHcuCW9ZRGAtM:http://www.20thcenturyflicks.co.uk/imagesFilm/14283.jpg http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:whP3XJJXBf-j5M:http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/741/741725/the-fountain-20061025102443445.jpg

After The Wrestler I had to go back and watch the only one left of his filmography I hadn't. From the reactions I've seen on here it's a love it or hate it type flick , but I found myself in the middle. The seamless story telling through time was a very inviting , interesting way to tell a story - but many times throughout it felt they were squeezing this idea dry and not actually trying to tell actual stories at the same time. The visuals also ranged from awe inspiring to bland , one I'd watch again - but not an instant favorite.

3

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ap_92H8izk8nKM:http://theritzes.com/dvds/images/3185f.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:_Rf2QyyHC9ctBM:http://upload.moldova.org/movie/movies/l/lord_of_the_rings_fellowship_of_the_ring/thumbnails/tn2_lotr_fellowship_of_the_ring_1.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:I4tQz3D0ntmcaM:http://www.the-reel-mccoy.com/movies/2001/images/FellowshipOfTheRing1.jpg

Fellowship of the Ring : Extended Edition

Massively wondrous first act with incredibly effective characters and atmospheres. After knowing exactly how it all plays out it's that much cooler seeing the entire group of hero's together.

5

Godoggo

05-08-09, 08:52 PM

The Big Sleep (1946 Howard Hawks)

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/godoggo_photo/thebigsleepbig.jpg

This was actually a coincidence that this came up on my queue during Bogie avatar week. :cool: This was a really fun sexy movie, even with it's convoluted plot line. :p

Bacall is just absolutely mesmerizing. I can never take my eyes off her face. I can't believe she was only 20 when she did this!

Not the best noir by any stretch, but the characters are played superbly. Would have also been nice to see more of Carmen. B

Daffodil

05-09-09, 12:54 AM

mark f

05-09-09, 01:16 AM

I'm a wacko because I like Romero's later films better than his BS classics! Land and Diary are much better than their reps, as opposed to their predecessors. C'mon, bring it on!

meatwadsprite

05-09-09, 01:23 AM

I don't think any of his films are classics , maybe zombie classics ... with the exception of Dawn of the Dead - that one is truly epic.

TheDOMINATOR

05-09-09, 01:28 AM

I didn't like Diary of the Dead at all, although I would give it a bit higher than 2/10. It contained some decent "jump scare" scenes and some genuine thrills. But not many, and some of the scenes I found on the laughable side--scenes with the zombies that were meant to be scary.

MovieMan8877445

05-09-09, 02:01 AM

http://mos.totalfilm.com/images/3/3-young-brad-pitt-cate-blanchett-the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button-2008--630-75.jpg

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
David Fincher, 2008

This is some true filmmaking at it's best, even though it may not be quite Fincher's best. There is no doubt about it in my mind that this is the most beautiful and depressing film of 2008. Actually watching it for a second time really showed me how depressing the film is. Yet, it still turned out great. I'm actually kind of upset that Slumdog Millionaire stole all of it's academy awards, even if you may disagree that it didn't deserve 'Best Picture', Fincher deserved 'Best Director' by a long shot. This was so wonderfully shot, at least a lot more than Slumdog Millionaire, and that's not to say that Slumdog wasn't shot bad because it wasn't. One of the things that really helps drive the movie is it's beautiful score, it really just fits with the movie. The cinematography is jaw-dropping to say the least, possibly some of the best I've ever seen.

Brad Pitt is so great in this, even though he gave just a good of performance in his other movie that came out in 2008, Burn After Reading. They were two completely different roles, with this one being a lot more serious role. Without Pitt chosen to be Benjamin Button, I think that this could've turned out pretty bad. This movie may have the most diverse set of characters I've ever seen, I mean I don't think there were two characters that were alike, except maybe Benjamin and Daisy. My personal favorite character out of all of them was Captain Mike. There was just something special and unique about his character.

I would probably call this the second best of 2008, maybe third, after The Dark Knight and maybe Gran Torino. This is a movie that you just have to see to understand it. It'd definitely be one that I'd recommend when you got the chance to.

4

Harry Lime

05-09-09, 03:43 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/sonatine-1.jpg

Sonatine (1993, Takeshi Kitano) 3

Iroquois

05-09-09, 06:00 AM

Thoughts?

Also...

Near Dark (Kathryn Bigelow, 1987) - 4+

Harry Lime

05-09-09, 07:03 AM

Thoughts?

re: Sonatine. Some scenes that were really impressive, although the film seemed to fade as it progressed after its strong first half. But most of the characters never really interested me, not like (and comparison may be unfair, but I'll do it anyway) Boiling Point, a film where every character deserved attention. I think I may go for a rewatch of Fireworks soon, and I can't seem to find a copy of Kikujiro.

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/videodrome.jpg

Videodrome (1983, David Cronenberg) 4

Daffodil

05-09-09, 08:34 AM

I'm a wacko because I like Romero's later films better than his BS classics! Land and Diary are much better than their reps, as opposed to their predecessors. C'mon, bring it on!

Whoa whoa whoaaa! You're kidding, right? For some reason I get the feeling you're not being at all serious here.

I didn't like Diary of the Dead at all, although I would give it a bit higher than 2/10.

Eh, my ratings usually don't mean anything and are nothing really to go by. I'm not sure why I even give ratings. I guess cause everyone else does? :p My heart is never really "in" my ratings.. if that makes any sense.

mack

05-09-09, 08:35 AM

Dawn of the Dead (1978) - 4.9/5
I scored the Dead movies because Borders is selling off all of their movie stock for 50% of its price. Run, dont walk over to Borders today to add to your collection - I did! About the movie. Wow. I can now say that I FULLY understand why people prefer the original to the remake. This movie was outstanding, and even though I remembered what happened (vaguely) from the remake, I found the story of this one so much more compelling and believable. Great acting all around, and great costume work. The one drawback was that the blood was very clearly red paint.

I wasnt able to get Night of the Living Dead, so I started with "Dawn" and now, on to watch the next installment, "Day!"

Iroquois

05-09-09, 08:38 AM

As I've stated before, the only thing that both Dawns have in common is zombies and a shopping mall. And even then the zombies are more "infected humans" than "reanimated corpses" in the remake.

Daffodil

05-09-09, 09:25 AM

STAR TREK. (2009 - J.J. Abrams)

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/star-trek-294x250.jpg

Lovely surprise! I am completely unfamiliar with the Star Trek franchise, but this film has certainly intrigued me to perhaps check out the show. Chris Pine has a good career ahead of him. 8.5/10

B-card

05-09-09, 11:06 AM

DIARY OF THE DEAD. (2007 - George A. Romero)

http://www.flash-bang-movie-reviews.com/images/Diary-of-the-Dead_l.jpg

Wow, what a huge whoppin' disappointment. The film featured some of the blandest characters I've seen. I want Romero to bring back likeable characters. And the we've-got-to-document-this-so-those-who-remain-will-know-the-truth story is so cliche. What's happened to Romero? I'm not going to go as far to say he's "lost his touch", but I really hope he'll amaze us with that new zombie film of his coming out. 2/10

What the hell am I the only one that actually liked this movie

I'm a wacko because I like Romero's later films better than his BS classics! Land and Diary are much better than their reps, as opposed to their predecessors. C'mon, bring it on!

Alleluia

Let the Right one In(Tomas Alfredson 2008)-The first 30 minutes are kind of boring and even depressed me maybe because of the setting of the movie,but after that the story is gaining power and turned out to be an awesome vampire movie something never done before,it had a wonderful love story,horror and in the end it felt good :)
4
http://houseofmirthandmovies.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/let_the_right_one_in_still_1.jpg

P.S.:Way better than Twilight

Sedai

05-09-09, 11:42 AM

Star Trek (Abrams, 2009) 4

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/garinungkadol/screencap/movies2/star-trek-2009-sample-003.jpg

Well done. I sort of hold this flick at about the same height I did the first X-men film, in that I thought they did a lot right, but I also see the potential to do a lot more. The plot device Abrams used to reset the universe is ingenious, though. It really is a master stroke that will please both die-hard fans and new-comers alike. I thought the film was cast well, save Eric Bana, whom I dislike anyway. I guess the creators wanted to focus on developing the main characters, and didn't want a Dath Vader0like villain dominating the story. This was the only big mistake I could find.

It did take me a while to warm to the new characters, but once I did, I had a blast. The final act felt like vintage Star Trek, and Quinto was unnervingly good as Spock. It was also fun watching all the nods to the previous material.

Sleezy

05-09-09, 12:18 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/generations.jpg

Star Trek Generations (Carson, 1994) 3

For all intents and purposes, this should have seemed like just an extended episode of its beloved progenitor, Star Trek: The Next Generation. But somehow, it feels like a feature film. It's not as dynamic as it could have been, and some of its chief angles - Data's emotion chip, the wasteful inclusion of Captain Kirk - fall decidedly flat.

But from the very first scene, the film establishes a melancholy throughout that can be seen as equally in the faces of the characters as in the darkened lights and colors of the usually bright set pieces. I think it's the theme of death that gives this film a quiet soul: that even in this advanced society, mortality still reigns over technology. And that's unsettling enough to wish for our own Nexus to escape to.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/shakespearelove.jpg

Shakespeare in Love (Madden, 1998) 5

Wonderful film. What can I say about it? The lusty, lovelorn chemistry between Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow drive the film, and the surrounding characters are a proverbial dream team of players: Tom Wilkinson, Geoffrey Rush, Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Imelda Staunton... my god! Even a brilliantly utilized Ben Affleck and a fleeting appearance by Rupert Everett contribute to the film's ensemble of awesome.

There are certainly a number of micro-stories here that make up the greater whole... in a perfect mixture, I might add, particularly in the comedy department, which is spot on sharp and hysterical. But the story that really gets to me is also the chief one: the communal and continuing invention of Romeo and Juliet. Not only is it exciting to see this revered piece of literature take form - particularly when you realize that it was really performed for the first time at some point for an unsuspecting audience. But you also feel the reverence for the play itself, and for Shakespeare's precision of language, not simply out of his ability as a wordsmith... but out of love.

Highly recommended.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/edwood.jpg

Ed Wood (Burton, 1994) 4

I can't say this film trumps Burton's legendary Edward Scissorhands, but it comes dangerously close. We all know what to expect from a Burton film - dark themes, dark comedy, quirky characters somehow misled or misunderstood, etc. - but I can't say I've often related with his material because it follows such a narrow path. And although I'm still struggling to connect with Ed Wood on the level I feel like it wants me to, I can't ignore Burton's thoroughly competent, heartfelt homage to a director who wasn't well-regarded, but who had a deep passion for making films all the same.

Frequent Burton alum Johnny Depp, as the aforementioned Ed Wood, is certainly great, as are surprisingly entertaining turns by Bill Murray, Jeffrey Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker, and George "The Animal Steele." (A quick cameo of Vincent D'Onofrio as Orson Welles is also, if anything for its eeriness). But the real heart of the film is Martin Landau's Bela Lugosa, who somehow hits the mark between magnetic character actor and believable, pitiable human being. He's a treat to watch, for his hilariously fumed tirades as much as his painful breakdowns. If anything, Burton's Ed Wood is also, ostensibly, an homage to Lugosi as well.

undercoverlover

05-09-09, 07:21 PM

Harry Lime

05-09-09, 08:35 PM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/Army_of_Shadows20-20Poster.jpg

Army of Shadows (1969, Jean-Pierre Melville) 5

An expertly crafted film about the French Resistance during World War II, directed with the assured skill and patience one comes to expect in a film by Melville. One of the best films I've seen in a while.

Golgot

05-09-09, 08:57 PM

http://www.worstpreviews.com/images/16blocks.gif

16 Blocks

A script full of platitudes and an almost unforgivably annoying character-study by Mos Def leave this mixed bag of tricks pretty limp. But it's got a decent premise, and it's good to see Willis roll the box-office dice a slightly different way with this 'Die Heart-attack' role. Plus i truly hope Barry White stole as many tyres as they say.

2_5

honeykid

05-09-09, 09:38 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/edwood.jpg

I can't say this film trumps Burton's legendary Edward Scissorhands

Ed Wood (Burton, 1994) 4

I can though. I think this is Burton's best film and easily my favourite. Good review BTW Sleezy. :up:

MovieMan8877445

05-10-09, 12:55 AM

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/movies/s/schindlers_list/thumbnails/tn2_schindlers_list_1.jpg

Schindler's List
Steven Spielberg, 1993

This truely is the greatest peice of work in the history of cinema. I don't even think this movie classes with every other movie ever made, if you would even consider it a movie. This is more than just a movie, this is like watching history. Even though it may be the greatest movie ever made, it's still not my favorite. Hell this isn't even my favorite Spielberg movie, I still like Jurassic Park and maybe Jaws more. The over 3 hour runtime is totally worth it, because the movie literally needed every second of it. I love that Spielberg chose to film it in black and white instead of color, because that was what this movie really needed. It made it special and unique from every other movie that came out around that time. John William's score for this is one of the most touching scores that I've ever heard.

The acting is by far some of the best I've ever seen, the final scene with Liam Neeson still remaining as the best acting I've ever seen. He was damn near amazing the entire movie, though. Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley were really amazing in this too. This is literally a must see for anyone for anyone that has any interest in movies. I don't think you can call yourself a true fan of movies until you've seen this. This movie is just that imporant, and possbily the most important movie ever.

5

MovieMan8877445

05-10-09, 02:24 AM

http://www.ifff.de/uploads/tx_prmdbfilmdatenbank2006/rashomon2.jpg

Rashomon
Akira Kurosawa, 1950

Wow, talk about being disappointed. Maybe it's becuase it's so late at night, but I didn't like it nearly as much as I had hoped. Actually I thought that it was sort of dull. I mean everyone always makes it out to be like his movies are epic, but there really wasn't much of anything that was really great about this. I really wanted to like it, which is why I'm seriously considering re-watching it tomorrow when I'm not as tired as I am now. I really don't think I'll like it much more if I even do that. I don't want this to put me off from seeing Seven Samurai, though, but I'm certainly not dishing out 40 bucks for it now after watching this.

3+

Harry Lime

05-10-09, 03:59 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/DeadMan.jpg

Dead Man (1995, Jim Jarmusch) 3.5

Dill-man

05-10-09, 11:47 AM

Star Trek

http://www.eatsleepgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/new-star-trek-poster.jpg

This is a must-see in theaters. The action and effects are pretty incredible. They do a great job of making space feel HUGE, which makes some of the most epic action scenes I've seen in a sci-fi movie, which I admit I am a huge sucker for. Other than that though, I thought it was generally solid in acting/story/everything else. I agree with Yoda that the villain was weak, and more of a vehicle to move the movie forward. Having not been much of a Trek fan, I didn't have much preconceptions of the characters, so I didn't experience any shock or anything seeing them played by new actors. I encourage people to see this because I think a non-origin movie with the a similar cast/director can make an awesome summer flick, instead of just an above-average eye-candy fest.

http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/3.5box.gif+

Dill-man

05-10-09, 11:49 AM

Rashomon
Akira Kurosawa, 1950

Wow, talk about being disappointed. Maybe it's becuase it's so late at night, but I didn't like it nearly as much as I had hoped. Actually I thought that it was sort of dull. I mean everyone always makes it out to be like his movies are epic, but there really wasn't much of anything that was really great about this. I really wanted to like it, which is why I'm seriously considering re-watching it tomorrow when I'm not as tired as I am now. I really don't think I'll like it much more if I even do that. I don't want this to put me off from seeing Seven Samurai, though, but I'm certainly not dishing out 40 bucks for it now after watching this.

3+

Want to see an epic Kurosawa? Watch Ran. You will not be dissapointed.

Iroquois

05-10-09, 12:17 PM

I second Dill-man's suggestion. Ran is about as epic as Kurosawa gets.

Anyway...

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/02/22/matter460.jpg

A Matter of Life and Death (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1946) - 4+

I heard that the cinematographer for this film died recently and I assume ABC1 was playing this film in memoriam. I was quite simply stunned at the ingenuity of it all. Nothing else I can say that probably isn't being said in the Michael Powell thread Mark F started around here.

Caitlyn

05-10-09, 12:56 PM

Dead Man (1995, Jim Jarmusch) 3.5

Only 3½/5? :eek:

:D

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq256/tts_posters_2008/Movies/underworld_rise_of_the_lycans_ver6.jpg

Underworld has always been a guilty pleasure... but this was a major let down... I am so glad I didn't waste my time going to the theater to see it...

2

B-card

05-10-09, 01:56 PM

28 Days Later...(Danny Boyle 2002)-It seems I am on the Infected wave these days and it was kind of exciting he is in London(well for the first 25 min) I am in London cool,anyways the movie is one of my personal favorite along with it's sequel it's kind of scarier that this time the infected are not dead but filled with rage and nothing can stop them not like Romero's Dead where sometimes they are slow other times are running(I cant understand that).All those movies have this common idea of society loosing humanity at all,sad
4
http://outlandinstitute.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/28-days.jpg

28 weeks later(Juan Carlos Fresnadillo 2007)-this time it seems more money are spent on the sequel the main theme music is improved the effects are better and the narrative is good.This time the writers tried to present us a Utopia after the apocalyptic events of the first part but all utopian societies have the tendency of destruction you know too good is not good ;) so an infected must be let inside the city to restore the balance :D and get this movie going.
4
http://www.smartcine.com/images/28_weeks_later_still.jpg

A few things that bugged me: ok so the infected are not dead and you can shoot them wherever you like to kill them ok then in 28 weeks later when the guy with the choper literary choped them some of them were still moving even though they were just a body withouth waist or his right side was gone this doesn't seem right

The Devils Tomb(2009)-wow Cuba and Ron Pearlman went really low the rest of the cast I am fine with them except Ray Winstone which is a good British actor but still what the hell the movie was a crap poorly done story zero again biblical crap just stupid
1
http://www.joblo.com/images_arrownews/DevilsTombBS.jpg

MovieMan8877445

05-10-09, 01:59 PM

http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/09/23/rashomon.jpg

Rashomon revisited
Akira Kurosawa, 1950

Yep, this is probably the first time I've ever watched the same exact movie twice in one day. I'm really glad I did, because I learned after watching it today that I fell asleep during most of the movie last night. I also don't really think I was in the right mood to watch it last night, at least after watching Schindler's List. I can definitely see how The Usual Suspects and Reservoir Dogs got influence from this, but mainly The Usual Suspects. I really liked how they decided to tell you the story, it was something different, especially for it being made in the 1950's, because I'm sure there weren't a lot of movies like this coming out around that time. I still do find some of it a little dull.

The acting is my only real complaint with the whole movie, because everyone except Masayuki Mori had some really melodramatic acting. Namely Machiko Kyô who's bacially just crying the entire movie, and has no traces of any good acting. Her character is pretty esential to the story. The main thing that bothered, though, was Toshirô Mifune's laugh. His laugh was so annoying and he was laughing throughout the entire movie. This is still some great storytelling, and I plan to check out some of Kurosawa's other movies now. I'm still a little doubtful on spending 40 bucks to buy Seven Samurai when I haven't even seen it yet.

4

Iroquois

05-10-09, 02:11 PM

28 Days Later...(Danny Boyle 2002)-It seems I am on the Infected wave these days and it was kind of exciting he is in London(well for the first 25 min) I am in London cool,anyways the movie is one of my personal favorite along with it's sequel it's kind of scarier that this time the infected are not dead but filled with rage and nothing can stop them not like Romero's Dead where sometimes they are slow other times are running(I cant understand that).All those movies have this common idea of society loosing humanity at all,sad

The inner zombie nerd comes out to play...

Despite the fact that they're technically not zombies, the infected humans in 28 Days Later... are virtually the same as zombies. They can still be killed like regular zombies - perhaps in a way it's slightly easier because zombies don't die without a headshot, whereas infected humans can succumb to damage in other vital areas e.g. the torso. They are not "unstoppable" - at least, not more so than your average zombie, running or slow. On that note, zombies don't run in any of the films made by Romero (apart from some zombies in Night of the Living Dead moving at a slightly faster pace than others) - running zombies have only really been significantly featured in the Return... series or the recent remakes of Romero's films.

And of course society loses its humanity in these films - that's zombies all over. A lack of humanity that is also somewhat reflective of the lack of humanity in humans as well. Plus, if something like this actually happened, do you honestly reckon your community could keep it together?

Used Future

05-10-09, 06:40 PM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ghdbr_qCk_M/SZ1-vgbKNOI/AAAAAAAAARU/Bw3U2WfwtOQ/s400/companeros.jpg

Compañeros (Sergio Corbucci 1970) 4
Another highly entertaining slice of boys-own entertainment from Corbucci, which takes a more fun approach compared with the brooding style of his earlier classics Django (1966) and Il Grande Silenzio/The Great Silence (1968). This is much more akin with Corbucci's earlier Il Mercenario/The Mercenary (1968) which also starred Franco Nero and Jack Palance.

http://spaghettiwesterns.1g.fi/companer/companeros_01.jpg

Set during the Mexican revolution, Swedish arms dealer Yodlaf 'Penguin' Petersen (Nero in a near identical role to his turn as Sergei 'Polack' Kowalski in Il Mercenario) arrives in the small town of San Bernadino to sell a consignment of weapons to unscrupulous general Mongo (Francisco Bódalo). Just one problem, Mongo's stolen cash is locked in the town safe and the only man with the combination (pacifistic town leader Professor Xantos played by Spanish legend Fernando Rey) is a prisoner of the American government. Subsequently Petersen agrees to go on a rescue mission north with beret wearing Che Guevara lookalike El Vasco (Tomas Milian) for help. Along the way they are hindered by the wooden handed, dope smoking, falconry enthusiast John (Jack Palance); an old business partner of Petersen's with an axe to grind...

http://spaghettiwesterns.1g.fi/companer/companeros_06.jpg

Despite subtle political undertones this is essentially (as the tile suggests) a light hearted buddy western played with tongue firmly-in-cheek. The chemistry between Nero and Milian (as it was with Nero and Musante in Il Mercenario) is fantastic, the two larger-than life leads bouncing off each other with consummate ease. Palance as the crazed villain almost steals it though, I mean who could fail to love a one handed stoner with a pet falcon called Marsha? As you'd expect the pace never flags, and Corbucci retains the same dramatic visual style synonymous with the genre. Morricone's music is particularly good here, especially the theme tune which perfectly captures the tone of the film and is extremely catchy. Overall another great Spaghetti western that's guaranteed to entertain, if you loved the Dollars films you'll definitely enjoy this.

Sorry but I just had to post the opening credits for Morricone's wonderful theme tune. Hope you give it a listen:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaLUKdQN1OE

Harry Lime

05-10-09, 08:35 PM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/burn.jpg

Burn! (1969, Gillo Pontecorvo) 3.5

"If a man gives you freedom, it is not freedom. Freedom is something you, you alone, must take."

Yoda

05-10-09, 08:36 PM

Nice. The quote alone makes me want to see it.

Harry Lime

05-10-09, 08:41 PM

It's a good film, I was tempted to go with a 4/5 and Brando is excellent as usual.

Golgot

05-10-09, 09:21 PM

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1275/1bannedgaldavincicode.jpg

"I have to get to a library. Now!"

The Da Vinci Code

Ultimately a fun conspiracy theory (if not always in practice), the opulent preposterousness is gilded with mature Howardesque competence. We all know the plot is full of glaring silliness, but I do like me a bit of 'rejected gospels' snuffling, and who can argue with Princess Tautou teaming up with Hanks's amiable cipher? The action struggles to break through the more turgid stages, and Bettany's Spanish albino-assassin has a Germanic accent, but no one said it was perfect right? ;)

3

MovieMan8877445

05-10-09, 10:11 PM

http://fandomania.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/fear_and_loathing_in_las_vegas.jpg

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Terry Gilliam, 1998

I think Terry Gilliam is slowly moving up my favorite directors list, because both of the movies of his I've seen, this and Brazil, I've absolutely loved. Something I do really love about his movies is that they're so weird, but so great as the same time. I mean there is no doubt about it that this is by far the weirdest movie I've ever seen. The plot is totally insane, but it somehow seems to work so great. I was laughing throughout most of the movie, but my only problem is that I couldn't sit still at all during the movie, I'm just starting to calm down now. So far only two films has done that to me, this and Arsenic And Old Lace. I can tell that this movie isn't meant for everyone, though, because some people just wouldn't like it.

Johny Depp is truely an amazing actor, especially in this. I mean if he didn't go crazy after playing his character in this, then he must be a damn fine actor. This would probably go in the top 5 performances that I've ever seen. Benico Del Toro was pretty great too, but not as much as Depp. I have to save up the money now so I can buy that ultimate sexy Criterion DVD of it. There's some other stuff that I plan on buying first, though.

5

meatwadsprite

05-10-09, 10:28 PM

Nice one MM I was actually about to watch that one tonight to start off my Gilliam marathon here.

honeykid

05-10-09, 10:39 PM

MovieMan8877445

05-10-09, 10:41 PM

MM, as you're enjoying Gilliam films (and you've already seen F&LILV) I'd recommend you seek out Twelve Monkeys next.

Also, don't be afraid of Seven Samurai. I can't see how you could fail to like it.

It's funny because I've owned 12 Monkeys for almost 2 months now, but haven't got around to watching it yet. I suppose I'll have to sometime.

Golgot

05-10-09, 10:52 PM

It is an excellent film M (Pitt chews the scenery occasionally, but he's allowed to get his teeth into that role). All told it's like Brazil goes to Vegas. Get on it :)

Harry Lime

05-10-09, 10:57 PM

12 Monkeys kicks a$$!

Lennon

05-10-09, 11:33 PM

http://warhistorian.org/images/johnny-got-his-gun-film.jpg
Johnny Got His Gun (Trumbo, 1971)

War is bad, I think everyone can agree upon that. I think in most cases it's pointless. Men just volunteering to kill or be killed. In other wars, protecting their country. I'll join, I think of it as my duty to my country, I know what it means, and I'm unafraid.

As far as the movie goes, yes it's shocking. Yes, it should be seen to anyone thinking of joining the army. The acting was great, Tim Bottom's debut, finding out that he's lost his limbs, face and basically anything you can think of, while still living, is truly heartbreaking. My only gripe is that it can get kind of dull at times. But those moments are few and in-between.

Rating: 4 An important film.

So now I've got my serious review down, let's get to my fun movies.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/1557413128_184c3cd291_o.jpg
Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood (Adler, 1996)

"A whorehouse? "
"A house inhabited by whores."

Ah, so awesome! I love TftC's series, even own a few issues of the books. This one's always been my favorite. Eye candy does go over story but once Dennis Miller enter's the show, I can't stop laughing.

Rating: 5 I love this so much. (Note: I don't think BoB is better than Johnny Got His Gun, it's just that I enjoy this much better.)

http://www.cult-cinema.ru/pictures/screenshots/killer_klowns/killer_klowns9.jpg
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (Chido, 1988)

"Killer clowns, from outer space. Holy ****!"

Another B movie that's oh so fun. It's not a good movie, but oh so much fun.

Rating:5 Another rating based purely on enjoyment.

Harry Lime

05-11-09, 02:44 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/sanjuro-01.jpg

Sanjuro (1962, Akira Kurosawa) 3.5

Sleezy

05-11-09, 01:11 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/001.jpg

STAR TREK (Abrams, 2009) 3

Not bad. A helluva theme park ride with, ironically, substantial logic problems... probably a result of the production focus being on the experience rather than the script. But hey, they've got to wrangle a new generation of fans somehow.

Here's my REVIEW (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=530088&postcount=18).

meatwadsprite

05-11-09, 11:33 PM

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

To start off my Gilliam streak I started with this off the wall drug frenzy. There is only one director who this project belonged to and he definitely did it justice , though there was an eroding effect over the film as it started with a bang and eventually became more tiresome and less inventive. Man the first hour of this is just pure gold.

What didn't wear away was the consistent amounts of laugh out loud funny dialogue Depp continues to spew out (who's excellent in this one along with partner Benicio Del Toro).

3.5

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Brazil

This one is like a diamond buried in the rough , the deep rough - which is my opinion on almost all of Gilliam's movies. Such brilliant ideas and bits of awesome visuals aren't enough in the face of a story that does not come together as a whole. This one became overbearing and tiresome for me after only the first hour.

I love the song though ...

2.5

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The Fisher King

This is one that I would have never given to Gilliam to direct and everything that works here goes against his artificially injected style he's put into this one. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams have amazing chemistry together and they completely drive my interest in the movie , what irritates me is the constant usage of skewed camera angles and record amount of close up shots.

The director can not find the humanity in the actors or the script , his style is completely out of place here.

3.5

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The Two Towers : Extended Edition

... and the director's ensemble masterwork. He's really on the ball with this one , a masterfully balanced epic that delivers not only a very deep story but a wonderfully told one. What's more exciting than watching the battle for Helms Deep ? Watching it while your watching the ents go to war with Isenguard !

5

Time Bandits tomorrow ...

Harry Lime

05-11-09, 11:53 PM

Do you know what helps make Fear and Loathing an even better viewing experience?

Lennon

05-11-09, 11:57 PM

Ether?

Dill-man

05-11-09, 11:58 PM

Popcorn?

Edit: Dammit

Swan

05-12-09, 12:01 AM

Drugs?

I killed it. :cool:

Harry Lime

05-12-09, 12:06 AM

Woah, what have you guys been smoking? I was going to say a good home theater system.

Swan

05-12-09, 12:07 AM

Yes, but what makes it an even better viewing experience than that is a good theater system and drugs.

Harry Lime

05-12-09, 12:09 AM

Well I've never been one to recommend drugs to teenagers or anything, and I don't do them myself...anymore.

Lennon

05-12-09, 12:12 AM

And a soda.

MovieMan8877445

05-12-09, 12:15 AM

Woah, what have you guys been smoking? I was going to say a good home theater system.

Okay, I cracked up good time after reading this. Everyone was suggesting some bizzare answer and it turned out to be a pretty logical answer.

mark f

05-12-09, 12:53 AM

I was going to say a paper bag on the head and some ear muffs. Sorry, but true.

P.S. Harry, I think you need to "lighten up."

Harry Lime

05-12-09, 01:01 AM

P.S. Harry, I think you need to "lighten up."

Yes, but no.

Sedai

05-12-09, 12:31 PM

Meatwad - Why did you include Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers in your list of Gilliam films?

I think Gilliam's style is what makes The Fisher King a good film. The skewed camera angles are a MUST in the film, which deals with a skewed view of reality. Brazil is a masterpiece on every level.

Speaking of odd films on the Gilliam tip...even though it isn't Gilliam:

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Stoppard, 1990)

http://zembla.cementhorizon.com/archives/rosencrantz.jpg

I love this flick. I hadn't seen it in a couple of years, and i am glad we popped it in last night. Art vs Reality, Physics, Theater, and Language are all subjects of this clever, puzzle-like film. It's Shakespeare's Hamlet from the point of view of the two doomed nobodies that appear in Hamlet. Of course, they haven't seen the play, so they spend their time marching inexorably to their ill-fated ends. Alas, the destination is not important, as it's the absurd journey that interests us this time around. I LOVE the dialogue in this flick! The ride along on horseback chatting about memory, words, and philosophical concepts, while almost discovering a variety of scientific breakthroughs...almost. With Oldman and Roth in the leads, this flick is gold!

This is a must see for fans of odd cerebral comedy in the vein of Python and Gilliam.

Sleezy

05-12-09, 12:34 PM

Ether?

"There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge."

Dill-man

05-12-09, 02:18 PM

Schindler's List

http://connect.afi.com/images/content/photos/large_12975.jpg

Can't do a write up for this one.

5

Iroquois

05-12-09, 02:36 PM

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Licence to Kill (John Glen, 1989) - 3.5

On the whole, I think I've more or less outgrown James Bond films. There are only about three I honestly like anymore - and Licence to Kill is one of that illustrious trio. The Timothy Dalton films were rather underrated - they took a serious turn after the cartoonish antics of the Roger Moore films, and Licence to Kill accurately reflects one of the best moments when Bond turned even more serious. Here, Bond is out for revenge after his friend and occasional comrade-in-arms Felix Leiter is attacked by the drug lord he's been investigating, willing to risk it all for vengeance. Dalton makes for a great Bond, managing the right blend of easy charisma and stony professionalism that the role requires. He is helped by an ample supporting cast, with the star pick being Robert Davi as Sanchez, the film's cool, almost likeable villain. Of course, it doesn't skimp on any of the usual Bond tricks - Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto make for one of the best pairs of Bond girls ever, the climatic tanker chase is the sort of high-octane extravaganza Bond films are known for and of course, cantankerous gadget master Q (the irreplacable Desmond Llewellyn). As I have said before, I'm more or less through with Bond, but Licence to Kill is a worthy exception.

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To Live and Die in L.A. (William Friedkin, 1985) - 4

Now this is my kind of film. A crime film rooted firmly in 1980s Los Angeles - a hot and grimy hellhole filled to the brim with either immorality or amorality, a place where the good are beaten into submission by the adversity of such a crime-ridden pit. William Petersen and Willem Dafoe are the two actors at the heart of a cat-and-mouse drama - Dafoe is an eccentric counterfeiting kingpin, while Petersen is the bloody-minded FBI agent hot on Dafoe's tail after the death of his partner. Their clashes with a variety of characters on every level and side of the law make for a compelling tale that's almost a tragedy of sorts, considering the effect that Petersen's character has on his straight-laced partner (John Pankow). A grubby yet excellent dive into the LA underworld.

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg, 1977) - 3.5+

Okay, second time around I actually began to appreciate it a bit more and not mind various qualities I had previously considered flaws (while I had initially found it hard to sympathise with Roy Neary's obsession with the truth, given his personal circumstances I can now totally understand his decision to go after it). The funny thing is, one thing I liked about the film the first time was something I actually didn't like as much the second time around - the appearance of the aliens themselves seemed even more anticlimatic once I had learned to appreciate the rest of the film up to that point. I kept thinking of when I watched James Cameron's The Abyss not too long ago and the way that seeing the aliens in that (which obviously owe a debt to the aliens in Close Encounters) just floored me emotionally, yet seeing the aliens in Close Encounters didn't do as much for me. Strange.

Pyro Tramp

05-12-09, 07:14 PM

Glad found someone else who rates Licence to Kill as one of the better ones :) To Live and Die in LA is one of those films i keep meaning to buy but always forget, now get bit more incentive to remember

mark f

05-12-09, 07:59 PM

I went through some of my old store-bought VHS tapes. I pulled some which I thought might not be on DVD yet. The first two below are indeed unavailable on DVD, so the VHS run for about $25-40 each. The third one is on DVD, so you can snag the VHS for under a buck.

First Love (Joan Darling, 1977) 3

http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/84/First_Love_(1977).jpg/200px-First_Love_(1977).jpg

This remains a very honest, funny, and sexy movie. I remember when I watched it at the theatres over 30 years ago thinking that it was extremely frank in its depiction of sex, but that the couple involved actually seemed to love each other and were still able to talk while making passionate love. That seemed really unusual, especially for an American film. William Katt (Carrie, "The Last American Hero") stars as a college student who just about falls in love at first sight with Susan Dey ("The Partridge Family"), and she feels strongly for him too. Their problem is that she's been having an affair for years with an older married man (Robert Loggia). Before you get up in arms yelling --> "A-ha! Chick flick!", please be advised that this is one of those '70s "Chick Flicks" where there is an ample amount of comedy and the nudity probably does favor the male viewer with Susan Dey and Bevery D'Angelo both getting very naked. In fact, John Heard is also a strong supporting character as Katt's best friend who comes off as a sort of a bastard. The film's main flaw is that the third act is underdeveloped. If the last 20 minutes were as good as the rest, I'd give it 3.5.

The Big Fix (Jeremy Kagen, 1978) 3.5

http://www.thrillingdetective.com/images/bigfix.JPG

I have to admit that any film with the word "Big" in the title which stars Richard Dreyfuss as an ex-radical from the '60s named Moses Wine trying to make his living as a private detective in 1970s Los Angeles is going to automatically get my attention. I'm happy to report that even if the mystery Moses becomes embroiled in is complex, it's also funny and suspenseful. It's mostly involving politics and other former radicals and how they may or may not be trying to influence an upcoming gubernatorial election. The supporting characters include Moses' ex-wife (Bonnie Bedelia), an ex-flame (Susan Anspach), a campaign manager (John Lithgow), a missing ex-super radical (F. Murray Abraham), Wine's kids whom he takes on stakeouts, and too many other characters to mention. For me, the simple highlights are Moses playing the game Clue to try to help him solve the case and his very real-sounding, yet humorous discussions with his kids. The L.A. locations are also used very deftly. You might not always understand what's going on while it's happening, but it eventually pays off in an unpretentiously low-key, but delightful mystery.

Man, Woman and Child (Dick Richards, 1983) 2.5

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K62A7N87L._SL500_AA280_.jpg

This film is based on an Erich Segal (Love Story) novel, and it begins enjoyably enough, centering on a happily-married college professor (Martin Sheen), his book editor wife (Blythe Danner) and their two pre-teen daughters. Then one day, the phone rings and Sheen learns that he's got a ten-year-old French son from his only affair, a two-day fling. The boy's mother has recently died and all Sheen can think about is his son. When the news comes out, and the boy comes to visit the family during the spring break, the family starts to splinter apart. The basic problem with the movie is that once the revelation occurs, the film goes on auto-pilot and turns seemingly-complex characters into one-note cyphers. The flashback to Sheen's affair with a beautiful doctor (Nathalie Nell) seems perfunctory, and supporting characters played by Craig T. Nelson and David Hemmings are wasted. It's not a bad flick, but it sure seems like it could have been either more interesting or more entertaining or both. Still, there are some beautiful people in some beautiful settings, so if that floats your boat...

Captain Blood (Michael Curtiz, 1935) 3.5

http://fencersquarterly.com/RF/capblood.gif

Errol Flynn's American starring-debut is jam-packed with action, adventure, romance, wit, and sophistication. Don't let the fact that this flick is almost 75 years old (!!) scare you away from a super entertainment. Not only does Flynn work with his most sympathetic director for the second of twelve (!) teamings, he also makes his first of nine appearances (!, sorry) with beautiful young Olivia de Havilland. It's a tale of good vs. evil, often set on the high seas. It's basically the origin of a film like Pirates of the Caribbean since Disney's park ride seems to be based upon this film. The cast is full of wonderful character actors, especially Basil Rathbone as the treacherous French pirate Levasseur and Lionel Atwill as de Havilland's evil uncle. Director Curtiz (Casablanca) uses a subtle but powerful visual motif throughout the film. Whenever there are any dialogue scenes on board ship, the camera moves ever so perceptibly forward and backward to simulate the gentle rocking of the ocean. It doesn't make you seasick at all; it impresses you with the skill and audacity which early filmmakers had to make their work just that little bit extra special. Captain Blood qualifies as extra special in multiple ways.

Innocents With Dirty Hands (Claude Chabrol, 1975) 3-

http://filmsdefrance.com/1975_Les_innocents_aux_mains_sales2.jpg

Continuing with my Chabrol festival, this one features the still-luscious Romy Schneider as the femme fatale in a French variation on The Postman Always Rings Twice. Schneider is married to rich, but dying Rod Steiger, so she hooks up with a hunk to murder her husband for his money and insurance. She also gets a rascally lawyer (Jean Rochefort) to plead her "case" to a judge (even though there is no "case"). Well, somebody apparently dies, but it's difficult to tell who, and then there are about 20 more plot twists before the ending which is another plot twist! Chabrol has always been a master of brooding atmosphere where the suggestion of violence and sex is often more frightening and intense than the acts themselves. This one has a pretty unique atmosphere for Chabrol, even if I do say so myself. The thing is that I had to watch this in both French and English. Both Schneider and Steiger do their own voices in English, while Rochefort and the hunk are dubbed, but Steiger is dubbed in the French version. Decisions, decisions. It's a solid whodunnit, but it's perhaps a bit overlong at two hours to maintain all the quiet stretches and multiple twists and turns.

Harry Lime

05-13-09, 02:18 AM

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Together (2000, Lukas Moodysson) 3

linespalsy

05-13-09, 12:18 PM

Double feature the other night:

Freaks (Browning, 1932)

The Unholy Three (Browning, 1925)

Freaks is obviously the better of these two films, but the Unholy Three, which stars Browning-regular Lon Chaney Sr. and the lead midget actor from Freaks, Harry Earles, along with one other guy as a trio of circus-performers who take to an elaborate con-job, was decent. The titular three pose as a pet-store-owning family (daddy, grandma and cigar-smoking baby) who sell parrots to rich customers using Chaney's ventriloquism. When the customers get home to find their parrots giving them the silent-treatment, Grandma Chaney and the baby-faced Earles pay a house call to see what's the matter and case the joints for future burgling.

Chaney also has an eight-foot-tall killer chimpanzee that gets introduced in the macabre penultimate scene, and the court-room climax, in which Chaney uses his ventriloquism to indirectly reveal himself and his cohorts through a dummy witness, is just bizarre enough to get you to overlook the melodramatic cliches.

I didn't really notice it in the last silent Browning/Chaney film I saw -- The Unknown -- but Chaney is pretty fun to watch too.

Godoggo

05-13-09, 06:02 PM

Cuba: An African Odyssey (Jihan El Tahri 2007)

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/godoggo_photo/cuba-africa.jpg
An informative interesting documentary about Cuba's involvement in Africa during the Cold War. We get to see a lot of footage and interviews with some key players ranging from Larry Devlin to Castro.

It runs 3 hours and 10 min. , but it doesn't feel it. It's broken up into two parts for those who don't want to sit through the whole thing at once. Part one is a whole lot of Che and Lumumba ending with the Guinea-Bissau revolution. Part two focuses more on the Angola revolution.

My criticism with part one would be that they devoted entirely too much time to Che and not enough to Amilcar Cabral, whom I would like to know more about. Part two was were it got really interesting as far as I am concerned. A-

meatwadsprite

05-14-09, 12:38 AM

Speaking of Africa ...

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Blood Diamond

The third film in my history through film class did a good job of introducing me to the chaotic mess that is Africa and on the other hand is merely the default action formula in a new setting. DiCaprio was entertaining to watch in this one though , I'm not a fan of him either. The relationships between the characters are completely false , but the uncommon atmosphere in which the story unfolds and some nice camera work make this one a worthwhile watch for die hard action/adventure fans.

2.5

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Paprika

Well , there are great anime films out there and all of them have been produced by Studio Ghibli. This science fiction thriller has some very enjoyable dream sequences , but the actual story that unfolds is quite different. Dull characters suck the magic out of the dream film genre and leave you with an overall flat unimaginative movie - in an attempt to make logical sense out of our illogical subconscious thoughts.

2

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Midnight Cowboy

What a terrible film to watch as I'm exiting high school and entering the uncertainty of college in the midst of economic recession , Midnight Cowboy is a film about discovery in an age where traumatized hurt people can't make sense out of each other and are paranoid of the new. It's rare the film feels so modern with it's original release in 1969 , shot with enormous energy and a brilliant charisma between leads Hoffman and Voight - this one has instantly become a favorite of mine.

4.5

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Return of the King : Extended Edition

Perfection. Does the uncertainty of your own personal well being matter in the face of your complete and utter destruction as well as the ruin of everything ? As small as Midnight Cowboy (and it's scope is remarkably large) feels in the face of Return of the King , you realize just how amazing the movie is for bringing an entire world to life and even though I know how it ends - there is a doubt every time I watch that Middle Earth will in fact be saved.

All of the pieces are in place , the characters fully introduced , and the stakes realized - everything the first two films have been building up to pays off with the same awe the others have managed with enormous fictional environments explored and fought upon.

5

Harry Lime

05-14-09, 02:32 AM

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Thieves' Highway (1949, Jules Dassin) 3

Iroquois

05-14-09, 02:56 AM

The result of one sleepless night...

http://images.publicradio.org/content/2008/10/21/20081021_naked_33.jpg

Naked (Mike Leigh, 1993) - 4.5

First viewing in over a year and it's still as stunning as it ever was. Bleak, bitter, surprisingly brilliant.

http://blogs.amctv.com/scifi-scanner/total-recall-560.jpg

Total Recall (Paul Verhoeven, 1990) - 4

Repeat viewings aren't as kind to this, I've found. While Arnold is always good for a laugh (as are the film's copious amounts of pre-CGI effects work), it's still an interesting film. I have a question, though - does anyone honestly reckon it was a dream? If so, why?

Harry Lime

05-14-09, 03:00 AM

I'm going to check out Naked, if I can find it.

Iroquois

05-14-09, 03:07 AM

You do that, I reckon it'd be right up your alley. It's got a Criterion release, if that's any help.

Harry Lime

05-14-09, 03:08 AM

The library has a copy so I'll check it out sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Iroquois

05-14-09, 03:16 AM

If you want more, I wrote a longer review about a year back, it's in the first couple of pages of my review thread. I'd also recommend reading the review Tacitus did in his review thread (first page).

Harry Lime

05-14-09, 03:24 AM

I've liked what I've seen from Mike Leigh, and Naked was one that I'd always wanted to watch but could never find it. You just reminded me to check again and what do you know they have a copy.

undercoverlover

05-14-09, 01:46 PM

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane (first viewing)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/undercoverlover/film/whatever-happened-to-baby-jane11.jpg

Holy Manolos! Obviously this is a tour de force performance from Better Davis and as interesting as she is to watch, I was paying closer attention to Joan Crawford. There are many ways to play the victim and Crawfords performance comes from the eyes. I enjoyed both ladies performances even though Davis chews the scenery sometimes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/undercoverlover/film/what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane.jpg

Plotwise I felt it was a little too confined to a short time period, i kind of felt that a lot of interesting points in their lives were brushed over very quickly and it didnt set up the relationship between the sisters as it is currently. Also I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending - the trip to the beach seemed to come out of left field and it lacked a defined conclusion that the viewer kinda deserved. All in all its a very good movie, but not one ill rush to watch again.

zedlen

05-15-09, 12:55 AM

Das Boot (1981)

http://nuleo.com/dasboot1.jpg

This was recommended by someone here and I wasn't disappointed. Apart from its length, it seemed a bit too long, Das Boot is one of the best sub-world war II films I've seen. After being raised on American war films it was refreshing to see something different and more raw and maybe more real.

24 Hour Party People (2002)

http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2002/images/24hourpartypeople.jpg

24 Hour Party People reminded me of Tristam Shanty, I was expecting a real movie not a Steve Coogan mash up. That said I still like Coogan, it was funny and informative if your into 80's bands like New Order and Bez. Just not as good as I expected.

Lady In The Water (2006)

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00266/lady_in_the_water___266472g.jpg

Ive been interested in seeing this for a while but what I heard is right, it sucks. Lady In The Water is messy and pointless. Amature at best. To his credit Paul Giamatti did good with what little he had.

The Fly (1986)

http://www.ugo.com/movies/david-cronenberg/images/fly1.jpg

Its been so long since I've seen this that I didn't realize Jeff Goldblum and Gina Davis were in it. I liked it, no real complaints. Cool scifi-horror.

Into the Wild (2007)

http://zeekeekee.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/into-the-wild-costa.jpg

A friend told me about Into The Wild a few years ago, I never got around to it, now I regret not seeing it. Its hard to describe how good a movie this is, excellent cast and acting, beautifully shot but its the story and script that make it what it is, such a overwhelming story about freedom and living your own life.

The Boat That Rocked (2009)

http://antondewit.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/2009_the_boat_that_rocked_002.jpg

The Boat That Rocked is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in a long time. I have no words just go and see it, even if you hate 60's rock and roll you won't be dissapointed.

Harry Lime

05-15-09, 02:54 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/brazil.jpg

Brazil (1985, Terry Gilliam) 3

It's been about ten years since I last saw this film and my opinion of it hasn't changed.

TheDOMINATOR

05-16-09, 12:30 AM

All right, it's been quite a while, so I'll do a fairly quick run-down lest I take two hours writing up a half a dozen mini-reviews and finding/posting a half a dozen images. :cool:

All I Want (AKA Try Seventeen) - 4
Waiting - 3.5+
Still Waiting - 2.5
Labyrinth - 5
A Walk to Remember - 4.5

http://content8.flixster.com/question/36/43/15/3643150_std.jpg

All in all, a very decent week or so of movies. This was the first time I'd seen Waiting and its sequel, and while its sequel--Still Waiting--had its moments, Waiting was full of moments that had me laughing out loud and greatly entertained. Then there's Labyrinth, which I could watch every other week for a flippin' decade and not get tired of, and after this rewatch, All I Want is safe in my Top 100.

Despite Labyrinth, the main attraction here in this bunch for me was A Walk to Remember. I had seen it before, but not for a long time, and with this revisiting, I was utterly moved and completely blown away. I'm not sure how others/the majority feels about this film (I haven't researched it on the Internet much yet to get others' feedback), but I know my own feelings. At first, it gives off that "cheesy," cliche teen romantic comedy/drama vibe, complete with your tolken black guy (sigh), but as things move along, I quickly became enveloped in the remarkable story. Add in Mandy Moore's brilliant, breathtaking performance and an ending (and several scenes throughout the entire film) that packs an emotional punch that made me look at and contemplate my own life in a new light, and you have something that now belongs in my Top 100, and very high up it.

MovieMan8877445

05-16-09, 01:45 AM

http://sagittariusjones.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/ox-bow.jpg

The Ox-Bow Incident
William A. Wellman, 1943

You know what the funny thing about this is for me, I didn't even mean to watch it. I was trying to click on something else in my Netflix instant queue, but clicked this by accident, so I just decided to watch it. I got to say that it was a pretty great mistake to make, because I ended up really liking it. It was short and simple and right to the point of the movie. I guess it could somewhat be counted as a western, and I really love westerns. The story right from the very beginning got me really interested because it was something different that I hadn't seen before.

The main thing that had me from clicking back when I started watching this was when I found out that it starred Henry Fonda, and I'm always looking for some more of his movies to watch. I do got to say that I kept wishing he'd go 12 Angry Men on all the guys and change their mind. It never happened, though, but his acting was still pretty great. The ending was really good, but I don't want to spoil it for people that hasn't seen it yet.

4

http://www.popmatters.com/images/film_art/r/ran-1985-1.jpg

Ran
Akira Kurosawa, 1985

I'm really just starting to get into foreign movies, so I'm really trying to just see as many as I can right now. The main one I want to see is Seven Samurai, though, but of course Netflix doesn't have it. So I'm basically just trying to check out some of Kurosawa's other movies first. While this is still only the second movie of his that I've seen, it's my favorite so far. He's really impressing me as a director. This movie is an epic in every sense of the word, even though it does seem to start off a little slow and weird. It was pretty weird watching it in color, though, because I thought all of his films were in black and white. This possibly has some of the most vibrant colors that I've ever seen, too. All the colors just seemed to pop out right towards your eyes.

My main problem with this is it's characters, like Lady Kaede because she was such a psycho and I just wanted to punch her in the face. Her character was meant to be like that, so I guess I shouldn't really have a problem with it, but for some reason I did. I also wish Saburo could've gotten some more screen time than he did. Still any foreign film fan, this is a definite must to check out if you haven't yet.

4

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01360/Chaplin_1360483c.jpg

City Lights
Charles Chaplin, 1931

Much like foreign films, I'm basically just starting to watch silent movies, and this is actually only the second I've seen so far. So far I'm pretty much liking it, too. I'm trying to figure out if all silent films are meant to be comedies or what, or at least most of them. Well never mind, because I know that's wrong, but I don't know if I'll like non-comedy silent films as much. Who knows, I may end up liking them more. My main problem with this is that it just seems to keep repeating itself too much, and it really wasn't all that exciting, at least compared to something like The General. It was still somewhat exciting, my favorite part was the boxing match.

Charlie Chaplin is a true genius at silent films, though. I couldn't stop laughing at some parts just because of the somewhat stupid stuff that he did throughout the movie. There are other parts where I just didn't like his acting much at all and I just stood there blank. It's still a pretty good movie, and I'd say that you should watch it if you ever get the chance to watch it.

3.5

http://www.geocities.com/mattreigns/Westerns/joseytenbears.jpg

The Outlaw Josey Wales
Clint Eastwood, 1976

I absolutely love westerns, it's probably my favorite movie genre there is. What I really love is that I still have so many westerns to see, because I always love seeing something new. Something I have noticed about a lot of westerns is that the movie seems to basically lose the point from the first half during the second half, then right towards the end the point comes back. I don't really have a problem with that, because it keeps the movie interesting. Clint Eastwood is seriously the king of westerns, not only is an amazing actor in westerns, he does a great job directing them too. I think this or Unforgiven is a prime example of that.

Yeah, like I just said, Eastwood is really a true king at these westerns. He just has something about him that works in westerns, it's like everytime he gets to do a western he suddenly gets very cool. Not to say that he isn't cool all the time. This would probably make it in my top 5 favorite westerns, even if it would probably be at the number 5 spot. This is a must see for any fan of westerns that hasn't gotten to this one yet, or anyone for that matter. You won't be disappointed.

4+

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The Abyss
James Cameron, 1989

Well holy crap, those are basically the only words that can really describe my thoughts on this right now. I never really had much interest in seeing it, and I probably wouldn't have if I remembered to change around my Netflix queue the other day. I'm so glad that I didn't though, because sci-fi is slowly becoming my second favorite genre ever, right after westerns. I know that this is pretty much the movie that revolutionized CGI until right up about now, at least until the end of the year when Cameron's revolutionizing it agian. The visuals in this are beyond amazing, possibly some of the best visuals that I've ever seen. This was incredibly tense right from the very start, up until the ending. Of course it had a happy ending, but it totally worked for this, and I just love it.

Ed Harris has always been an actor that I really appreciated, and this just made me appreciate him even more. His acting in this just gets so strong in some scenes that it's amazing. He really works well with stronger roles, and I'm pretty surprised that he's yet to take home an oscar. I think that my rating could seriously increase with repeat viewings, because I think it's just that amazing. Any movie fan must see this one, because it's a film that just must be experienced.

4.5

meatwadsprite

05-16-09, 10:11 AM

I think Kurosawa had a rough transition from black and white to color - his films in black and white look so much better than his color ones.

Harry Lime

05-16-09, 07:42 PM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/theconformist.jpg

The Conformist (1970, Bernardo Bertolucci) 4

And after watching this excellent film today I've now watched 100% of the Sight & Sound Director's List, the list I consider to be the most significant.

Fenwick

05-16-09, 08:53 PM

I could watch Il Conformista every day for the rest of my life. It would be nice if I could have a shiny Region 2 release though as i'm still working off a dodgy VHS print that I recorded off terrestrial tele. So if anyone from Artificial Eye or BFI is looking at this, please restore and release it for me. While your at it you can do Le Samourai as well.

adidasss

05-16-09, 09:03 PM

Get a region free DVD player?

honeykid

05-16-09, 10:37 PM

His dvd player probably just needs a hack. Look up the make and model online and you should be able to find one. It's usually just a case of pushing a few buttons on the remote.

MovieMan8877445

05-17-09, 01:04 AM

http://content7.flixster.com/skin/profile/62/02/88/6202889_profile_mbox_background.jpg

The Third Man
Carol Reed, 1949

I really love Netflix, because I would've missed watching so many great movies because of it. I'm really glad this got put on instant watch, though, because I don't when I would've gotten to it on my regular queue. This is certainly one of the best mystery movies I've ever seen, and it had me intriqued right from the very beginning. I actually noticed that I didn't like the first half that much, but the second half was so amazing that I couldn't give this a bad score. Right when the somewhat of a twist got thrown in, I was automatically hooked the rest of the movie.

Orson Welles is a really great actor, especially in this, and I might even say that he did better in this than Citizen Kane. Joseph Cotten is a pretty good actor as well, but I thought he did a better job in Shadow Of A Doubt than in this. That's not to say that he didn't do a good job in this, though. I'd say that you should try and check this one out whenever you get the chance to. If you're like me, then you won't end up being disappointed by it.

4

http://www.trashfiction.co.uk/deer_hunter_inside.jpg

The Deer Hunter
Michael Cimino, 1978

This is one that I've been putting off for awhile to watch, and I'm sort of wishing that I put it off a little longer right now. I mean the first 2 hours were pretty good, but it's like the movie just completely stopped for the last hour because it went by so slow. Actually now that I'm thinking about it, a lot of the complaints that I have with this are the same complaints I had with Apocalypse Now. Both were Vietnam movies and were incredibly over long. I think I like Apocalypse Now a little more, though, mainly because it focused on the war a lot more. They were barely even in Vietnam in this, and I was pretty disappointed when I found all this out.

Robert DeNiro's acting was so amazing, especially during the last hour, which is the main thing that kept me up with the last hour. His best acting in the whole movie was the ending to the last 'game'. Christopher Walken was pretty damn good as well, especially during the ending. It seemed like he just completely lost his mind completely. I still doubt I'll ever be able to watch it again, or at least for a very long time.

3.5

Harry Lime

05-17-09, 05:16 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/theelephantman.jpg

The Elephant Man (1980, David Lynch) 4

Iroquois

05-17-09, 06:48 AM

http://www.yourprops.com/norm-457922c9e0165-Terminator,+The+(1984).jpeg

The Terminator (James Cameron, 1984) - 4

I remember loving the crap out of this movie when I first saw it about six years ago (along with T2 in the lead-up to the release of T3). Now I watched it and yeah, it's lost a little of its power but it's still an undeniably fun '80s action flick, and the grim low-budget (tech-noir?) feel of the film works to its advantage. I'll probably end up watching the sequels again in the lead-up to Salvation's release, but as it stands I'd still consider the original my personal favourite of the bunch.

http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/831/831290/aliens-ripley-powerloader_1193711350.jpg

Aliens (James Cameron, 1986) - 4

Like the last film, Aliens is something I haven't watched in quite a while. However, I remember that the last time I gave it a viewing I was rather unimpressed by it. I decided to give it a proper second chance (after catching bits of it on TV from time to time and not being so unimpressed) - and I also opted to watch the extended version, as I'm pretty sure it was the theatrical release I watched last time. Fortunately, as the rating indicates, my opinion of the film has improved somewhat. I'm still not sure if I'd give it the edge over Alien or not (which I watched a couple of months ago - in a special theatrical screening, no less) but Aliens was still a surprisingly compelling adventure film - maybe the action was a little lacking, but it was more than made up for by the eye-boggling production design and unforgettable cast of characters.

http://www.iconocast.com/B000000000000150/D0/News1_2.jpg

BASEketball (David Zucker, 1998) - 3.5

The funny thing about Trey Parker and Matt Stone is that while I am a fan of their animated work (such as South Park or Team America), their live-action outings haven't impressed me quite as much. I'd rank BASEketball above Orgazmo, definitely, but Orgazmo was rather lame anyway, and besides, you get what you expect from a sports comedy and that never really hurts. And with the bizarre brand of humour, which is a hybrid of Airplane-style surrealist humour and Generation X joking around, it's a genius idea that's lacking in execution but still a fun film.

Fenwick

05-17-09, 08:21 AM

Get a region free DVD player?

I dont have no monies

Harry Lime

05-17-09, 09:03 PM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/VengeanceIsMine.jpg

Vengeance Is Mine (1979, Shohei Imamura) 3.5

MovieMan8877445

05-17-09, 11:19 PM

http://www.celluloidheroreviews.com/images/all-the-presidents-men.jpg

All The President's Men
Alan J. Pakula, 1976

This is one of those films that I put off for seeing for so long, because I always thought the political aspect to it would bore me. Boy, was I sure wrong because I was totally hooked throughout the whole movie. My only problem was that it was hard for me to keep up with what was going on at times because everything seemed to just getting thrown at you all at once. All the different names confused me a bit as well. Another minor complaint was it didn't have the ending I was expecting, because I know Woodward and Bernstenn were assisnated, but the movie didn't show it. I don'tshow it, and I feel that it could've just made the ending more powerful if it did. This definitely has me wanting to look more up on the Watergate scandel, though.

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman make such a great team together, and is almost as great as the Redford/Newman duo. No duo ever will be as great as that. Dustin Hoffman is a pretty incredible actor, he's shown me this with this and The Graduate. I really need to get to checking out some more of his movies. Of course Robert Redford did a great job, even though this isn't my favorite performance of his. This is just a movie that I feel you must see sooner or later, especially if you want to learn some interesting facts on the Watergate scandel.

4.5

http://www.filmsquish.com/guts/files/images/lizzie4.JPG

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Mike Nichols, 1966

Well there isn't much that I really plan on saying about this other than I just plain didn't like it one bit. I may even go as far to say that I hated this. Maybe it was just that I watched it right after a great movie, which I really loved. I had expected something better from Mike Nichols, though, at least you know he takes a step up with his film after this, The Graduate. I probably wouldn't have even watched it had I not been trying to work my through AFI's Top 100. I would've been better had I not seen it. I think it also may have just been because it didn't interest me one bit, and I had a lot of trouble even finishing it. I have no idea how it came to be on AFI's Top 100, though.

2+

http://horsesthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/network_beale.jpg

Network
Sidney Lumet, 1976

Whoa, I had no idea this from the director of 12 Angry Men until just a few minutes ago. I can definitely say that 12 Angry Men is on a whole nother level than this. That's not to say that this was bad, though. I put off watching this for so long because the post on Netflix always looked so dull to me. I was actually pretty surprised when I started watching it and found out that it was pretty interesting. Once it passes the one hour mark, though, it starts to get really dull, a lot like I had thought the movie was going to be. Then it gets really interesting again the last 5 minutes. I think I may have liked this a little more than I did, though, had I not watched it after watching two other movies back-to-back.

I thought the very breif Tim Robbins cameo was great, though, and he added to the very interesting ending. William Holden is a pretty good actor, but I much prefered him in the other two movies of his I've seen so far, The Wild Bunch and The Bridge On The River Kwai. If you ever get some free time and happen to have a chance to watch it, I'd say give it a watch. It's still a pretty good movie.

3.5+

http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0155.jpg

Duck Soup
Leo McCarey, 1933

Something I've noticed about watching older comedies is that I never find myself really laughing a lot during them. They put me in a good mood, but I never laugh. This was totally different from all of those, because I had a hard time not laughing in this. This impressed me so much, because it's usually only sex-comedies that can get me really to laugh. And this had absolutely no focus on sex. The laughs in this are truely based off the character's actions.

The silent spy was by far the funniest thing about this movie, he had me laughing non-stop throughout the entire movie. Firefly was the other character that I found hilarious, even though he didn't even compare to the silent spy. You definitely need to give this movie a shot if you ever get the chance to, because you won't be disappointed.

4+

meatwadsprite

05-17-09, 11:24 PM

Watch out MM for MF ! :eek:

MovieMan8877445

05-17-09, 11:25 PM

Watch out MM for MF ! :eek:

I'm assuming this is because of what I gave Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

mark f

05-18-09, 02:49 AM

Woodstein are both alive and well right now, MM. Who do you think assassinated them? George and Martha?

Iroquois

05-18-09, 02:52 AM

I bet he thought that was true as a result of something that the Comedian said in Watchmen (allegedly he assassinated them to prevent Nixon getting caught out over Watergate)

mark f

05-18-09, 04:58 AM

Probably...

Road House (Jean Negulesco, 1948) 2

http://filmsnoir.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/roadhouse22.jpg

I'm pretty sure that Sir Toose recommended this one on that free, publicly-available-legally movie website. I'll admit that the story starts out well and the cast is strong, but the whole ending and seeming point of the film still comes across as ridiculous to me. I'd much rather recomend Negulesco's other film in 1948, the Oscar-nominated Johnny Belinda with awesome atmosphere and performances right down the line. That one I recommend to everyone, even MovieMan. :cool:

Thunder Rock (Roy Boulting, 1942) 2.5

http://image.allmusic.com/00/adg/cov200/dru000/u020/u02014lx8jy.jpg

This is another British film set on an isolated lighthouse, but this time it's in Lake Michigan, and the ghosts here are real. The film begins with a charmingly-amusing opening bit of classic British comedy, but afterwards, it completely changes tone. It's a decent movie, but the stories of the ghosts who died in a shipwreck and how they affect the current lighthouse keeper (Michael Redgrave) don't seem to exactly mesh with the remainder of the film which concerns the lighthouse keeper's life and well-being. In other words, although the natural and supernatural are supposed to comment on each other here, they seem to insure the fact that a gulf exists between the two parts of this film and the lead character's life.

Porco Rosso (Hayao Miyazaki, 1992) 3.5

http://www.ksml.fi/multimedia/dynamic/00031/porco_rosso_4_31603b.jpg

Here (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=531559&postcount=32) it is.

Come and Get It (Howard Hawks and William Wyler, 1936) 3.5

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/3065504802_d2795894e7.jpg

Awesome abridged version of the Edna Ferber epic has Frances Farmer terrific in two roles, Edward Arnold quite incredible in his big romantic lead part, Walter Brennan superb in his first Oscar-winning role as a Swede, Gregg Toland already perfecting his deep focus cinematography all the critics went gaga over five years later in Citizen Kane, a superb Lionel Newman musical score, tremendous outdoor scenes involving lumberjacking and sending the wood downstream to market, and a generally compelling story about a man whose heart was swallowed up by his billfold.

The Straight Story (David Lynch, 1999) 3.5

http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/images/issue/420/the-straight-story_420.jpg

OK, Holden and anybody else wanting to read me eat crow, this is your big chance. I used to give this simple, heartfelt film 2.5 because I found it slow-moving, boring, annoying and a silly attempt by Lynch to make a family film. Now, I can see the error of my ways. It truly is Lynch showing his human side and his second-best film (after The Elephant Man) with a knockout performance by the dying Richard Farnsworth who desperately tries to reconnect with his family the only way he knows how. Freddie Francis's cinematography is wonderful, and Lynch is able to make the film his own and still keep it a bit on the weird side while paying tribute to the true-life adventures of Mr. Straight. Angelo Bandalamenti contributes a moving score to a film I never thought that Lynch had it in him to make. I just wish he would attempt to make more similar films.

Harry Lime

05-18-09, 05:08 AM

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/sid_and_nancy.jpg

Sid and Nancy (1986, Alex Cox) 3

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww56/harrylime49/mylifeasadog.jpg

My Life as a Dog (1985, Lasse Halstrom) 3

mark f

05-18-09, 05:36 AM

I accidentally posted a premature version of my post above; it's fixed now for those who might have been wondering...

Sleezy

05-18-09, 12:28 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/nemesis.jpg

Star Trek Nemesis (Baird, 2002) 3

Fun film, but ultimately forgettable. Effects are nice, but the story is so centralized that there's not a lot of variety. Still, it's amazing how, even under lesser writers, the Next Generation cast still have such excellent chemistry. I liked the Romulan/Reman dichotomy, but in my view, Romulans have always been weak villains, and Shinzon is no exception. Almost everything about the film is painfully average. It's a shame this was the last romp for Picard and crew.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/nemo.jpg

Finding Nemo (Stanton/Unkrich, 2003) 5

Wonderful film, but that goes without saying. Like other notable Pixar installments, this one features a richly imaginative world that's never boring to look at, a host of loveable characters, and a story that's both as technically brilliant as it is touching. A beautiful production through and through.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/thegame.jpg

The Game (Fincher, 1997) 4

David Fincher is a tour-de-force director, and it's a shame this film is much overlooked. I'd actually put this in a noir/pseudo-sci-fi category, given that the concept of an elaborate game is pretty far-fetched and unbelievable. Still, the suspense of the story is razor-sharp, and Michael Douglas plods along with increasing aggravation, almost as if he was never allowed to read the script just to get an authentic performance. The only thing that cuts this film down is the third act resolution, which doesn't follow logically from the plot. This is partly because the story boils so far over the sides that cleanup at the end is almost impossible. But don't let that stop you from watching it. :nope:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/recount.jpg

Recount (Roach, 2008) 4_5

Wow. Superb film. It goes without saying that an event as supercharged as the 2000 Presidential Election dispute naturally makes a good story, but damn if HBO films doesn't know what it's doing these days. The story surges from beginning to end, with a wonderfully harmonious pushing it along. Smart, thorny, and more than a little liberal, Recount - ironically - is a win. Of course, I can't speak to the depiction of events 100%, as I'm sure some Democratic skeletons were left out to keep the bully pulpit from falling over, but so it goes. If conservatives had made the film, it would have been just as slanted.

Sedai

05-18-09, 01:25 PM

The Cannonball Run (Needham, 1981)

http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/features/cars/17.jpg

After the news that poor old Dom DeLuise died recently, I decided to Netflix the only Dom film I remembered being close to in my life, which reminded me of my obsession with this film as a boy. I loved the cars, the dumb comedy, and off course, the two chicks in skin tight jumpers.

These days, this flick is a mess, for sure. Sort of a half-hearted attempt at a road film, the star-studded cast keeps it from becoming terrible, and they manage some genuinely funny moments in the flick. DeLuise always had a sort of vulnerability to him that made his dumb gags work. The Captain Chaos stuff borders on unwatchable, and you can tell the cast thought so too, but there it is, in all its glory.

Warts and all, this film was a childhood love, and I wanted to bid farewell to an old star that I adored back then.

RIP Dom DeLuise

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2006/09/23/image32257f29-647a-44bf-8d12-8a6a00aa87ad.jpg

mark f

05-18-09, 01:32 PM

Hey, don't bid farewell to him just yet. Netflix The End which is an excellent Burt Reynolds-directed black comedy with Dom's funniest role. I watched it again last year, and I was laughing as much as I did 30 years ago.

http://images.blockbuster.com/is/amg/dvd/cov150/drt000/t097/t09776v0tcc.jpg

birdygyrl

05-18-09, 01:42 PM

Metropolis 1927 Fritz Lang
A - I watched this with the commentary on and that helped me understand Lang's perspective.

http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/metropolis_robot.jpg

La Jetee 1962 Chris Marker
B-

http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/5-6-2003/jpegs/markerjetee.jpg

The Day the Earth Stood Still 1951 Robert Wise
A-

http://jonasferry.com/images/screenshots/day-the-earth-stood-still-screenshot.jpg

birdygyrl

05-18-09, 02:10 PM

I forgot to mention...

Sans Soleil 1982 Chris Marker
C

http://sebald.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/sans-soleil-staring.jpg

MovieMan8877445

05-18-09, 05:27 PM

Woodstein are both alive and well right now, MM. Who do you think assassinated them? George and Martha?

Well this is just great, now I look like an idiot. I should've looked this stuff up before I posted that.

Pyro Tramp

05-18-09, 06:15 PM

Let The Right One In

Very atmospheric vamp flick, even if not a lot happens. Definitely want to revisit it before making any calls on the huge amount of hype it's received. Suprisingly strong performances from the young cast and worth a look for genre fans but is rather slow, compared to, say, 30 Days of Night it's almost a polar opposite.

4

sex, lies and videotape

Can see why it's an important film in terms of independent filmmaking, very realistic with, at times, some strong performances driving not much of a narrative.

3_5

Kingdom of Heaven- Director's Cut

Oh dear, Orlando Bloom can't act for toffee. Shame since he was the pivotal character for empathy and not giving a toot about him really stopped any engagement with the film. Such a shame when the other cast, cinematography and such were all splendid. Got a bit tired of the action sequences going slo-mo and all these film do just seem to drown in the wake of LoTR.

2

Raging Bull

Finally watched this all the way through, probably at the higher end of Scorsese's filmography but didn't quite resonate with me. De Niro and Pesci certainly shine as brothers and really bring the characters to live with some great chemistry but wasn't the most satisfying story arc

4

Seventh Seal

Had this on hold since just thought it was all about the Knight playing chess with Death, turns out that was very small part. My least favourite Bergman film to date and thought it was pretty average.

2_5

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Think is probably best Trek film, some very memorable moments and not actually that dated.

4_5

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

As one of the uneven Trek films (and by reputation weaker) i still think it's pretty solid and a good continuation of the previous installment. Not the strongest story or characters but still enough to enjoy

3_5

Body Snatchers

That cold 90s feel suits the story brilliantly but the second half of the script falls apart leaving a thoughtless rush from point a to b. Some of it's dated and reuses that chilling end courtesy of Sutherland from the 78 version too much. Still, better than The Invasion.

3

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Eh, maybe i missed something. Thought it would be more "cult", in as much as it would be pretty bizarre, it wasn't. From what i've heard of Meyer's work as well, it wasn't that sexy or outrageous.

2

Chaser

Bog standard Asian crime drama, the cover made it look a bit supernatural or something. It wasn't. Pales against superior film Memories of Murder which does most of what this tries to do better.

2

Angel-A

Besson's return to screen isn't quite as explosive as his last few films, very restrained B&W with occasional flourish. Not sure much to recommend, the romance wasn't that touching nor was the message.

2_5

Red Sun

Sublime cast, standard Western

3