The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Jiggy will rip you apart

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Everlasting Moments (blu) (Criterion) (2008)

.

wow, I'll definitely check this out this weekend (via Instant Netflix). I also have Days of Heaven BD arriving today, per your recommendation. I know you love Malick, and I think Thin Red Line is the only film of his I've seen, and it was so long ago that I definitely need to revisit it.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I thought it was quite smart intill the 3rd act!

What about the 'ing dialogue? It was pretty stupid at times throughout, but it is in keeping with the spirit of it, without making it a spoof of the first imo.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Ok i just need to mention how GREAT Quentin Tarantino picks out his movie soundtracks. Kill Bill Vol 1's Soundtrack is EPIC

Did you see in one of the extras how QT stumbled upon the 5,6,7,8's? Great story. He was at an airport, about to board his plane, at a newsstand buying a magazine (in some Asian country) and heard "woo hoo" song. He instantly fell in love, and tried to ask everyone who sung it. Apparently (my memory is bad), he had to have his agent do tons of research to discover who it was when he got back to the U.S. I like the song and the soundtrack. Its quirky but works perfectly. Anyone knows I'm not the biggest QT fan, but appreciate his unique style.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Q!

What about the 'ing dialogue? It was pretty stupid at times throughout, but it is in keeping with the spirit of it, without making it a spoof of the first imo.

Nothing hit me as really dumb intill the

[Show spoiler]Yakusa guy got into a sword fight with the King Predator and the Predator was fighting the King Predator

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

wow, I'll definitely check this out this weekend (via Instant Netflix). I also have Days of Heaven BD arriving today, per your recommendation. I know you love Malick, and I think Thin Red Line is the only film of his I've seen, and it was so long ago that I definitely need to revisit it.

It's my least favorite of his four films, but there's no doubt it's one of, if not the, most beautifully filmed movie of all-time. It's also extremely heavy on themes and symbols, like all Malick films, but it def takes effort to really see and understand them. I have no doubt you'll be able to do so though. Good choice to see it on blu on a regular tv. Malick films, like Lean films, cannot be watched on computer--it defeats the purpose.

I think you'll enjoy Everlasting Moments. Unlike most Criterion films, it has a straight forward plot. It's nowhere near as complex thematically or plot-wise as other Criterion films, but I don't think that's a detriment. My only concern for you is your love of themes, and this isn't a theme heavy film. Rather, it's pretty simple in that it's about the power of art.

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Everlasting Moments (blu) (Criterion) (2008)



Nominated for the Golden Globe for best foreign film, but wasn't nominated for the Oscar, somehow. Granted I haven't seen any of the nominees that year (shocking I know!) except Revanche, but this is a better film than that (I really like Revanche, though).

I will absolutely be purchasing this next Tuesday. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Great review, I am looking forward to watching this soon, I absolutely loved Revanche, the fact you think it is better is a good sign. Also having an strong interest in photography and being a novice photographer I think I am in for a real treat.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Great review, I am looking forward to watching this soon, I absolutely loved Revanche, the fact you think it is better is a good sign. Also having an strong interest in photography and being a novice photographer I think I am in for a real treat.

Definitely! I really like Revanche and I think almost everything about that film is great, I just think this film is better. The main difference between the two is that Everlasting Moments is a film that really made an impression on me beyond being a film I thought was excellent, while Revanche has not stayed with me beyond my enjoyment of the film.

The fact that you're interested in and engage in photography guarantees that you'll like the film. I'm very into photography as well, and I think the film does a good job of showing why it's an artistic medium that many ppl escape to and find solace in.

I know that while surfdude simply doesn't have the time to watch the film on blu before Tuesday, and he made the right choice imo to go with Days of Heaven on blu (the only way it should be watched), I highly recommend that if you have time you watch Everlasting Moments on blu. There are other films that try to mirror old photographs, such as the Illusionist, but none that I've seen come anywhere close to this film. It's quite honestly astonishing to see just how much the film looks like a collection of old photographs at times. My favorite scene is the butterfly, towards the end (not a spoiler). What a beautifully filmed scene. I have to say this too--the film is very heavy on grain in a lot of scenes. I've never had a problem with this like other ppl have. I've seen a lot of films with grain, but this film shows exactly why grain (for some films) can be used effectively when left in--take the train scene for instance. What an amazing image with the grain in tact, I was blown away. The image so impresses me that I would use it as demo material to show just how different movies can be filmed and to show how exceptional a film can look when it's reproduced exactly how it was supposed to look.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Everlasting Moments HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I watched Hiroshima Mon Amour last week Hiroshima Mon Amour is a masterpiece if I have ever seen one. Watch this film. It will stay with you. 5/5.

Added both. Thanks guys.

[Riff Magnum]

Of course the PQ and AQ are horrible on this documentary, but i was mesmerized just listening to Herzog talk (he and David Lynch just have this hypnotic way of speaking....ya' know?).
Anyways, if your a fan of either two guys this is a must watch. I'd love to have one of Kinski's "Jesus" shows in it's entirety. What's wrong with this guy?

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I know that while surfdude simply doesn't have the time to watch the film on blu before Tuesday, and he made the right choice imo to go with Days of Heaven on blu (the only way it should be watched), I highly recommend that if you have time you watch Everlasting Moments on blu.

Thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely be watching this on Blu (qued up in Netflix), although convenient I really only stream old TV shows from Netflix. Works out really well via the IPAD, nothing better than an eerie episode of the X-Files. But I digress.

[BladeRunner2007]

Predators 3/5

[Chaotic]

Predators 8/10

The first good predator movie in 23 years

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Did you see in one of the extras how QT stumbled upon the 5,6,7,8's? Great story. He was at an airport, about to board his plane, at a newsstand buying a magazine (in some Asian country) and heard "woo hoo" song. He instantly fell in love, and tried to ask everyone who sung it. Apparently (my memory is bad), he had to have his agent do tons of research to discover who it was when he got back to the U.S. I like the song and the soundtrack. Its quirky but works perfectly. Anyone knows I'm not the biggest QT fan, but appreciate his unique style.

Wow, i dont have the blu with me, but imma check the extra's out. Thats crazy.

[CZAR]

Brooklyn's Finest - I loved it! The cast was great. Cheadle was brilliant. I was confused at first as I thought it was a film

[Show spoiler]tying in one story but it was more about different cops and there lives.

I thought the execution was very well done. Loved seeing Snipes back in action although I wish he would have had a bit more screen time and just a bit more development with his character. Other than that I thought it was on point. Definite recommendation.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

The White Ribbon

I dont know where to start.

I guess I'll start with the BD itself.

PQ 4.5/5. Excellent. The black and white PQ is near reference most of the time, and reference some of the time. Impressive from the very first shot.

AQ 4.5/5. Front centric and solid. This is a dialogue driven film and the fronts were crystal clear and every word was perfectly postioned. No surround activity that I noticed and it sure didnt need it.

The movie: Well, I'll try to do this without any spoilers, which will be difficult for me. Actually, I cant do it. Hmmmmm. How to proceed? OK, I'll break it down. I'll leave the Story and my impression of that for last.

Directing: It wreaks of confidence (in a good way). Michael Haneke shows us some things that we may be uncomfotable looking at and thinking about, yet he allows the camera to linger......and linger. This drives home the point he is making to much success in my opinion. It also shows confidence in his cast. Really good suff.

Cinematography: The choice of Black and White was a good one and it helped complete the feel of pre WWI Germany. Camera movement is beautifully subtle and flawlessly mates with what we are seeing on the screen. Great attention to detail in the framing of every shot pays dividends to help create the desired atmosphere. Good stuff here too.

Acting and casting: Casting was very good and the acting ranges anywhere from very good to excellent. All of the primary characters received top-notch performances. I really felt like I was a voyeur on the happenings in this small village and the lives of its citizens.

Sets, costumes, makeup and hair: Fantastic all around. Combined with the Black and White photography I felt like I was watching a fim made in the 1940s that was only reaching back 30 years.

OK, now the hard part. The film has some (not a lot, and well done) narration by the lead character, a school teacher. Interestingly, the narration opens the film, yet we arent introduced to the school teacher as a character until a good bit into the film. From the very first scene I began to feel involved with the characters, the ones I didnt like, and the ones I did. Its a story about a village that relies mostly upon a Barons farm for employment. The Baron has a Steward assisting him in the operations. The movie follows the Baron, his Steward, both of their large familes, the village Doctor and Midwife, the school teacher and the village Pastor through a couple years of village life.

The village has dark secrets. Very dark, and many. Children are mysteriously beaten and tortured by an invisible culprit. The Doctor and his assistant, the town midwife, share a hugely dysfunctional love-hate-self-hate relationship. The Doctor, a widower, finds his 14 year old daughter to have an amazing resemblence to his deceased wife. Too similar??? The school teacher and a nanny share a connection. Will the connection blossom into marriage? The Pastor is Old Testament all the way and his children endure his strict methods of parenting. Heavy themes abound.

We watch, as if spying, as another layer, and yet another layer is peeled away to uncover the true nature of the powerful characters, bizarre relationships and horrific events. Four stories align chronologically, told simultaneously, and certain to intertwine. Or so we believe....

Until the the movie utterly falls on its face and disintegrates into POOP during the last two minutes.

Yep. And I was damn P!issed off too. I CARED about the characters.

The spoiler below does not give away the story or its ending. However, it does describe in detail, what I felt was poor about the ending and why I disliked it. Kind of a semi-spoiler.

[Show spoiler]I was thouroughly invested and yearning to learn the outcomes of the mysteries that were laid before me. Never have I seen a movie plant such delicous seeds, nurture them through multiple seasons, groom the plant with loving care, only to let ALL the fruit die on the vine. I was cheated damnit. I dont need to be spoonfed all the answers, and enjoy letting my imagination serve as the final chapter. But here?..... I was robbed.

Imagine reading a 700 page novel that sucks you in deeply. Everything on a slow burn, building and building, to what will certainly be a powerful ending. Regardless of whether your huches pay off as right or wrong, regardless of whether a character you like survives or not, regardless of whether a revenge seeker obtains justice or not, this book is leading to some very heavy climaxes. You reach page 650 and are prepared to learn the truths, whatever they may be, as predicted or surprises, you turn to page 651........ BLANK. 652....BLANK. No more pages....WTF?!?!?!?!?! Not only was there no resolution, there was no finish. Right in the middle of the story, it just freaking ended. Done...finito....no mas....role credits. Its like they couldnt come up with an ending, so they just stopped. It wouldnt bother me so much, had the first 2 hours and 20 minutes had not been so damn excellent.

In 120 seconds, they pulled the rug from beneath me so violently, that I crashed on my head.

2/5 Stars. And the two stars are only because the technical and artistic components were fantastic.

I cant recommend this because it was wholey unfullfilling. To the point of aggrevation. Can you tell it bummed me out?

[BladeRunner2007]

Christiane F. - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo 5/5

[Q?]

The Box

Wow! I bought the Blu-ray from a friend of mine for only about 12 dollars as the person didn't like it. I was wary of blindbuying it so I thought at that price I just had to get it, as it was written for the screen and directed by Richard Kelly. The person who brought us Donnie Darko (9.5/10 from me) and Southland Tales (6.5/10 from me).

This movie has a hint of David Lynch in it, which I thought was great, it has mystery, it's odd, strange, creepy and eerie. Me and my gf were very much hooked on it, as it was totally unpredictable which is often a big plus. The Blu-ray looks quite good, it has a kind of a slight hazy (dream like) and golden look to it, I think it was meant to convey the feel of the 70's. I could easily tell it was shot with digital cameras, but it looked fine, not jawdropping as it looked a bit soft at times, but very pleasing anyways. Oh well back to the movie, themes of morals and consequences pretty much, that's all I'll reveal to you guys. Go see it blind, works best that way. The acting was fine, Cyclops from X-men who plays the husband did a great job, Cameron Diaz did it ok but it didn't distract me, Frank Langella is always great and certainly did his part in the movie. It's either a love it or hate it (or boring) movie. The CGI in the movie isn't the greatest but it didn't annoy me because the story and the slow unfolding of the story really captured me and my gf, mostly emotionally. The score was unusual, it affected me positively, it was "underplayed" so to say and gave a special mood to it.

I am surprised it has a low IMDb score of 5.9/10 and 45% from Rottentomatoes, but don't let that discourage you, I welcome a different experience, hopefully you do too.

8.5/10 from me and 8/10 from my gf
Surfdude, Squid and jhiggy I think you guys will have interest in this, go rent it!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Q!

The Box

Wow! I bought the Blu-ray from a friend of mine for only about 12 dollars as the person didn't like it. I was wary of blindbuying it so I thought at that price I just had to get it, as it was written for the screen and directed by Richard Kelly. The person who brought us Donnie Darko (9.5/10 from me) and Southland Tales (6.5/10 from me).

This movie has a hint of David Lynch in it, which I thought was great, it has mystery, it's odd, strange, creepy and eerie. Me and my gf were very much hooked on it, as it was totally unpredictable which is often a big plus. The Blu-ray looks quite good, it has a kind of a slight hazy (dream like) and golden look to it, I think it was meant to convey the feel of the 70's. I could easily tell it was shot with digital cameras, but it looked fine, not jawdropping as it looked a bit soft at times, but very pleasing anyways. Oh well back to the movie, themes of morals and consequences pretty much, that's all I'll reveal to you guys. Go see it blind, works best that way. The acting was fine, Cyclops from X-men who plays the husband did a great job, Cameron Diaz did it ok but it didn't distract me, Frank Langella is always great and certainly did his part in the movie. It's either a love it or hate it (or boring) movie. The CGI in the movie isn't the greatest but it didn't annoy me because the story and the slow unfolding of the story really captured me and my gf, mostly emotionally. The score was unusual, it affected me positively, it was "underplayed" so to say and gave a special mood to it.

I am surprised it has a low IMDb score of 5.9/10 and 45% from Rottentomatoes, but don't let that discourage you, I welcome a different experience, hopefully you do too.

8.5/10 from me and 8/10 from my gf
Surfdude, Squid and jhiggy I think you guys will have interest in this, go rent it!

I was interested in seeing it because of Kelly, so I'll add it to my queue per your recommendation.

I just got back from seeing The Girl Who Played With Fire. Review to come later.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The White Ribbon

I dont know where to start.

I guess I'll start with the BD itself.

PQ 4.5/5. Excellent. The black and white PQ is near reference most of the time, and reference some of the time. Impressive from the very first shot.

AQ 4.5/5. Front centric and solid. This is a dialogue driven film and the fronts were crystal clear and every word was perfectly postioned. No surround activity that I noticed and it sure didnt need it.

The movie: Well, I'll try to do this without any spoilers, which will be difficult for me. Actually, I cant do it. Hmmmmm. How to proceed? OK, I'll break it down. I'll leave the Story and my impression of that for last.

Directing: It wreaks of confidence (in a good way). Michael Haneke shows us some things that we may be uncomfotable looking at and thinking about, yet he allows the camera to linger......and linger. This drives home the point he is making to much success in my opinion. It also shows confidence in his cast. Really good suff.

Cinematography: The choice of Black and White was a good one and it helped complete the feel of pre WWI Germany. Camera movement is beautifully subtle and flawlessly mates with what we are seeing on the screen. Great attention to detail in the framing of every shot pays dividends to help create the desired atmosphere. Good stuff here too.

Acting and casting: Casting was very good and the acting ranges anywhere from very good to excellent. All of the primary characters received top-notch performances. I really felt like I was a voyeur on the happenings in this small village and the lives of its citizens.

Sets, costumes, makeup and hair: Fantastic all around. Combined with the Black and White photography I felt like I was watching a fim made in the 1940s that was only reaching back 30 years.

OK, now the hard part. The film has some (not a lot, and well done) narration by the lead character, a school teacher. Interestingly, the narration opens the film, yet we arent introduced to the school teacher as a character until a good bit into the film. From the very first scene I began to feel involved with the characters, the ones I didnt like, and the ones I did. Its a story about a village that relies mostly upon a Barons farm for employment. The Baron has a Steward assisting him in the operations. The movie follows the Baron, his Steward, both of their large familes, the village Doctor and Midwife, the school teacher and the village Pastor through a couple years of village life.

The village has dark secrets. Very dark, and many. Children are mysteriously beaten and tortured by an invisible culprit. The Doctor and his assistant, the town midwife, share a hugely dysfunctional love-hate-self-hate relationship. The Doctor, a widower, finds his 14 year old daughter to have an amazing resemblence to his deceased wife. Too similar??? The school teacher and a nanny share a connection. Will the connection blossom into marriage? The Pastor is Old Testament all the way and his children endure his strict methods of parenting. Heavy themes abound.

We watch, as if spying, as another layer, and yet another layer is peeled away to uncover the true nature of the powerful characters, bizarre relationships and horrific events. Four stories align chronologically, told simultaneously, and certain to intertwine. Or so we believe....

Until the the movie utterly falls on its face and disintegrates into POOP during the last two minutes.

Yep. And I was damn P!issed off too. I CARED about the characters. I was thouroughly invested and yearning to learn the outcomes of the mysteries that were laid before me. Never have I seen a movie plant such delicous seeds, nurture them through multiple seasons, groom the plant with loving care, only to let ALL the fruit die on the vine. I was cheated damnit. I dont need to be spoonfed all the answers, and enjoy letting my imagination serve as the final chapter. But here?..... I was robbed.

Imagine reading a 700 page novel that sucks you in deeply. Everything on a slow burn, building and building, to what will certainly be a powerful ending. Regardless of whether your huches pay off as right or wrong, regardless of whether a character you like survives or not, regardless of whether a revenge seeker obtains justice or not, this book is leading to some very heavy climaxes. You reach page 650 and are prepared to learn the truths, whatever they may be, as predicted or surprises, you turn to page 651........ BLANK. 652....BLANK. No more pages....WTF?!?!?!?!?! Not only was there no resolution, there was no finish. Right in the middle of the story, it just freaking ended. Done...finito....no mas....role credits. Its like they couldnt come up with an ending, so they just stopped. It wouldnt bother me so much, had the first 2 hours and 20 minutes had not been so damn excellent.

In 120 seconds, they pulled the rug from beneath me so violently, that I crashed on my head.

2/5 Stars. And the two stars are only because the technical and artistic components were fantastic.

I cant recommend this because it was wholey unfullfilling. To the point of aggrevation. Can you tell it bummed me out?

That's what Haneke is famous for. His most famous film is Cache, which is maddening. I haven't seen the film so I can't comment, but it appears your complaint it solely in regards to the unfulfilling ending. This doesn't bother me. A few days ago I watched The Return, which was an incredible film but had NO definitive answers. That film succeeded even more because of this choice. Some films aren't successful when they do it. Interesting to see if this one pulls it off.