The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You might want to put spoiler tags on your post, as you give away MAJOR plot points.

Could not disagree more on all your negative points and I now hate you again

[Show spoiler]not kidding

[Show spoiler]

Actually, if you remember I stated that the first time I saw this movie I was indifferent about it, and my reasons for being so were similar to yours--I didn't connect with the characters and didn't believe in the love story. I did not, however, think the ending was ridiculous, because in no way shape or form is it. The movie stayed with me though and I revisited it a few months later and have seen it ten or more times since, now considering it one of the finest love stories put to screen.

We agree on the tremendous technical achievements of the film, so I won't get into that. You seem to have a good deal of confusion about the film, so I'll try to help you out the best I can and take it sequentially as you present it:

At no point were Robbie and Cecilia boyfriend/girlfriend. That's the point. They always had feelings for one another but suppressed them because of the social differences.

[Show spoiler]Their fleeting moment together in the library was the first time they truly conveyed what was built up inside them. It was the only truly passionate moment they ever had because it was taken from them by the too great imagination of a child.

The editing and directing of the fountain scene, in that it is shown twice, is not some clever trick. It's arguably the most important scene of the film because it shows how Briony's imagination led to the events that come later and that despite being an intelligent child, she had an inability to harness this imagination, thus seeing something that was much different than what actually happened.

The letter was on the same day, I'm not sure what the confusion is. We clearly see that he was invited to dinner and that he was concerned about what happened, which led to the letter and the events that come after. Your scoffing at the letter seems strange. You seem to forget the awkwardness of the fountain scene and the conveyance of suppressed emotions. Robbie was showing how awkward it is to suppress feelings, albeit in a sexually explicit way. That's certainly not unusual, as I'm sure you can think of many examples where ppl are nervous because they like someone and they say something strange. Same thing. You're disbelief about

[Show spoiler]Robbie picking the wrong letter is even more strange. I'm not sure why you think that's so weird--he had multiple letters on the desk and grabbed one quick. I'm sure on a daily basis you have a lack of attention about something and do something by accident. For instance, when I got home from work I reached in my fridge and grabbed a soda. I wanted Pepsi but got Dr. Pepper. If I was in a rush and wanted to put the soda in a lunch bag, I wouldn't have realized it until I got where I was going. Not too hard to believe.

What I failed to realize when I first saw the film and what you fail to realize now is that the film isn't about connecting with the characters. Films don't require that. What films do require is a connection to the film on some level, with themes being one example. We're not given enough characterization of Robbie and Cecilia on purpose--it's not about them. It's about Briony and how we deal with mistakes. That doesn't mean we're supposed to connect with her, but it does mean that we're supposed to observe her lifelong journey and how she dealt with what she did, which we see at three different times in her life.

The film is not just a love story, although it is a great one at that. It is a great love story because of how tragic it is. It's no different than Romeo and Juliet. Are we supposed to believe that they are so in love after such a short time together? Yes, because we see R and J together explicitly. Atonement doesn't need to be blatant. It requires much more intelligence from the audience, in that suppressed feelings are sometimes the greatest. The film requires you to fill in the pieces by alluding to the suppression of feelings while at school and the edginess and awkwardness they have around each other. It's every bit as realistic as 500 Days of Summer, for instance, and I mean that sincerely. It's a typical issue American audiences have with more intelligent films--we expect to see everything instead of using our mind's to fill in the pieces.

The film isn't about how a little girl

[Show spoiler]ruined someone's life.

The film is about how we deal with the mistakes we make, how we "atone" for them, whether it is right or wrong. It is about how childhood intelligence and being precocious does not guarantee maturity. It is about how an imagination can lead you astray, which McEwan tried to convey in his novel. The book was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 best novels ever for a reason, and the film does not deviate much from it although it alters the ending a bit.

You mention several times how ridiculous the ending is. Some critics did not like the ending, but most didn't due to it being depressing. I don't remember any that called it ridiculous. The ending is anything but. It is meant to show that we can never truly atone for our mistakes and that unfortunately things can happen that prevent us from rectifying them even a little bit. It is meant to show that although

[Show spoiler]Robbie and Cecilia never got to be together in life, they will be together eternally through the pages of her novel. That is both poignant and sobering.

I am going to say this as strongly and honestly as possible. It may anger you, but I feel that I must set you straight.

[Show spoiler]Lay off the soda dude, that shit is bad for you.

[vizunary]

just watched 100 feet, and i have to say its not bad. decent little horror movie and I like Famke Janssen. got it from a Hollywood that was going out of business for about $4 so it was a pretty good deal. interesting storyline and some pretty good scares.

also watched Felon about a week ago and I have to say i was truly impressed. Stephen Dorff puts on possibly his best performance ever. Not to mention Val Kilmer's very subtle but extremely effective role as John Smith that really got to me. Was hesitant about checking it out because it was a straight to video that I hadn't heard of, but I am so glad i decided to watch it. Somewhat based on a true story about a prison in California supposedly makes it even a little cooler. This is a definite must see!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

did we watch the same movie Gandalf?!
the remake of the bed scene was like, 12 seconds and ridiculously underwhelming compared to the original. i don't like comparing remakes to originals, but man, the original bed scene was brutal, full of blood and was pretty freaky. the remake was way too short and there wasn't anything that made me do anything but chuckle. director really toned down the violence in that scene

Well hopefully the remake doesn't destroy my childhood

The original scene was fantastic indeed but I'll try to be open to a new interpretation of it.

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

+1.
I didnt like it that much as well.
I think its over hyped.

Sunshine is much better than that one.

I'd pick Sunshine over Moon any day, but really enjoyed Moon. Both are sci-fi gems. And they aren't that similar...

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Devil's Backbone (netflix instant)


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)


I've made my indifference for Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth known, but this film is incredible; one of the best "ghost" stories I've seen. All of the components are top notch here, such as the directing, acting, cinematography, score, editing, and writing. This film very easily could've been riddled with genre cliches, but it goes beyond that and into the territory of poignancy. Highly recommended and it's too bad this isn't the Del Toro film that will be released on Criterion, instead of Cronos.

I loved this film. Well made. Not cliche scary, but VERY creepy. I'd really like to see Cronos though.

And as far as Pan's Labyrinth...

[Show spoiler] SHAME ON YOU

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You might want to put spoiler tags on your post, as you give away MAJOR plot points.

Could not disagree more on all your negative points and I now hate you again

[Show spoiler]not kidding

[Show spoiler]

Actually, if you remember I stated that the first time I saw this movie I was indifferent about it, and my reasons for being so were similar to yours--I didn't connect with the characters and didn't believe in the love story. I did not, however, think the ending was ridiculous, because in no way shape or form is it. The movie stayed with me though and I revisited it a few months later and have seen it ten or more times since, now considering it one of the finest love stories put to screen.

Great explanations! As I think you know, I was on the same boat as you until I got it on blu for cheap and gave it a second chance. It really does require a second viewing for some. I think you really empathized with him there. You seemed motivated to make your case.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You might want to put spoiler tags on your post, as you give away MAJOR plot points.

Could not disagree more on all your negative points and I now hate you again

[Show spoiler]not kidding

[Show spoiler]

Actually, if you remember I stated that the first time I saw this movie I was indifferent about it, and my reasons for being so were similar to yours--I didn't connect with the characters and didn't believe in the love story. I did not, however, think the ending was (1) ridiculous, because in no way shape or form is it. The movie stayed with me though and I revisited it a few months later and have seen it ten or more times since, now considering it one of the finest love stories put to screen.

We agree on the tremendous technical achievements of the film, so I won't get into that. You seem to have a good deal of confusion about the film, so I'll try to help you out the best I can and take it sequentially as you present it:

(2) At no point were Robbie and Cecilia boyfriend/girlfriend. That's the point. They always had feelings for one another but suppressed them because of the social differences.

[Show spoiler]Their fleeting moment together in the library was the first time they truly conveyed what was built up inside them. It was the only truly passionate moment they ever had because it was taken from them by the too great imagination of a child.

(3) The editing and directing of the fountain scene, in that it is shown twice, is not some clever trick. It's arguably the most important scene of the film because it shows how Briony's imagination led to the events that come later and that despite being an intelligent child, she had an inability to harness this imagination, thus seeing something that was much different than what actually happened.

(4) The letter was on the same day, I'm not sure what the confusion is. We clearly see that he was invited to dinner and that he was concerned about what happened, which led to the letter and the events that come after. Your scoffing at the letter seems strange. You seem to forget the awkwardness of the fountain scene and the conveyance of suppressed emotions. Robbie was showing how awkward it is to suppress feelings, albeit in a sexually explicit way. That's certainly not unusual, as I'm sure you can think of many examples where ppl are nervous because they like someone and they say something strange. Same thing. You're disbelief about

[Show spoiler]Robbie picking the wrong letter is even more strange. I'm not sure why you think that's so weird--he had multiple letters on the desk and grabbed one quick. I'm sure on a daily basis you have a lack of attention about something and do something by accident. For instance, when I got home from work I reached in my fridge and grabbed a soda. I wanted Pepsi but got Dr. Pepper. If I was in a rush and wanted to put the soda in a lunch bag, I wouldn't have realized it until I got where I was going. Not too hard to believe.

What I failed to realize when I first saw the film and what you fail to realize now is that the film isn't about connecting with the characters. Films don't require that. What films do require is a connection to the film on some level, with themes being one example. (5) We're not given enough characterization of Robbie and Cecilia on purpose--it's not about them. It's about Briony and how we deal with mistakes. That doesn't mean we're supposed to connect with her, but it does mean that we're supposed to observe her lifelong journey and how she dealt with what she did, which we see at three different times in her life.

The film is not just a love story, although it is a great one at that. It is a great love story because of how tragic it is. It's no different than Romeo and Juliet. Are we supposed to believe that they are so in love after such a short time together? Yes, because we see R and J together explicitly. Atonement doesn't need to be blatant. It requires much more intelligence from the audience, in that suppressed feelings are sometimes the greatest. The film requires you to fill in the pieces by alluding to the suppression of feelings while at school and the edginess and awkwardness they have around each other. It's every bit as realistic as 500 Days of Summer, for instance, and I mean that sincerely. (6) It's a typical issue American audiences have with more intelligent films--we expect to see everything instead of using our mind's to fill in the pieces.

The film isn't about how a little girl

[Show spoiler]ruined someone's life.

The film is about how we deal with the mistakes we make, how we "atone" for them, whether it is right or wrong. It is about how childhood intelligence and being precocious does not guarantee maturity. It is about how an imagination can lead you astray, which McEwan tried to convey in his novel. The book was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 best novels ever for a reason, and the film does not deviate much from it although it alters the ending a bit.

(7) You mention several times how ridiculous the ending is. Some critics did not like the ending, but most didn't due to it being depressing. I don't remember any that called it ridiculous. The ending is anything but. It is meant to show that we can never truly atone for our mistakes and that unfortunately things can happen that prevent us from rectifying them even a little bit. It is meant to show that although

[Show spoiler]Robbie and Cecilia never got to be together in life, they will be together eternally through the pages of her novel. That is both poignant and sobering.

first things first:

[Show spoiler]

(1) i found it ridiculous because to suddenly have

[Show spoiler]Briony be at the end of her life and to write a book about it and then just suddenly say, "oh i made that scene up" was a slap in the face. i found it baffling. it looked like bad story telling like when a character suddenly just gets killed off.

i had no idea this was based on a book, so i don't know how the book ends, but if it's the same then i can't really complain too much since it didn't deviate. i think that explaining the

[Show spoiler]scene with her sister and Robbie was made up

could have been explained differently, i don't know how exactly, (definitely not a dream sequence please) but i think something else could have been more useful.

(2) ah, gotcha. i was trying to figure out what they were and couldn't quite place if they were just people who were secretly falling for each other or bf / gf at a rough patch.

(3) i know. i don't know if i wrote something that you took the wrong way, but i actually liked how the film showed a few different scenes from different people's perspectives, so when we see the scene with Robbie and Cecilia we know what actually happened, but we also know what Briony thought was happening.

(4) i scoff because for something so important you think he would be paying more attention! you analogy of

[Show spoiler]grabbing the wrong soda is a completely different level of importance over sending out a sexually explicit letter and the apology letter

and for that i think someone would pay closer attention. i know i would. smaller stuff? yeah, mistakes happen. but for bigger things such as that? eesh. maybe once in a great while, but even that i think is hard pressing.

(5) lifelong journey?! we barely see her! in her hospital time yes, we do see her

[Show spoiler]writing her book about the incident, and obviously how it effects her

and the simple fact that she

[Show spoiler]joined a nursing school instead of doing something else shows she regrets it

but i never felt that we were supposed to see her grief over the situation. she was a nurse. she was living her life. i do understand and the film does show us, but i never once got the impression that she was

[Show spoiler] as sorry as she should have been. until the end where she's talking about the book.

(6) i get that they cared about each other, but at no time did i feel these people were soul mates or anything major - until much later in the film. and even then, because they were so

[Show spoiler]distant because of the incident

i didn't feel a connection there. that may just be me though.

(7) i was too busy looking at how ridiculous the ending was (yes, ridiculous ) because of what i mentioned in paragraph #1. i liked how it ended with

[Show spoiler]them together at the beach house that they talked about

but to me, in all honesty it felt like Briony did that

[Show spoiler]in the story so she could simply forgive herself and put a happy ending in place so the grief wouldn't be so strong.

and also, please inform me of where i should put spoiler tags in my review! i went through and added some and i don't know what else should be spoiler tagged. i think i have any issues covered, the rest is just plot points i believe.

[Lepidopterous]

The Secret of Kells should arrive from Amazon tomorrow morning. I'm a bit more excited now with great PQ/AQ marks on Ken's review posted today. Blind bought it because I loved the trailer and I've been looking forward to it since its nomination. Animation anywhere near as insane as Triplets of Belleville will win my interest.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

I just bouth the 40 year evolution collection for 35$.
It was a blind buy, but it includes 5 movies and I couldnt pass on such a great price.

I think the whole series is worthwhile. The first original is the best! I love #2 and 4 too. #3 and 5 have their moments. It's all good!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I am going to say this as strongly and honestly as possible. It may anger you, but I feel that I must set you straight.

[Show spoiler]Lay off the soda dude, that shit is bad for you.

hahaha know what's ironic? I actually need to. I'm not a coffee drinker so ever since starting that new job, I have a soda at 7:00 am on the way to work and then another at noon. BUT, I've never had a cavity so I'm doing okay haha

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I loved this film. Well made. Not cliche scary, but VERY creepy. I'd really like to see Cronos though.

And as far as Pan's Labyrinth...

[Show spoiler] SHAME ON YOU

I watched the trailer for Cronos last nite and it looked utterly silly to me. After how good Backbone was and after how imaginative Pan's was, despite not liking it, I def will still check it out.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Great explanations! As I think you know, I was on the same boat as you until I got it on blu for cheap and gave it a second chance. It really does require a second viewing for some. I think you really empathized with him there. You seemed motivated to make your case.

hahaha I was in my room and my roommate texted me (not sure why knocking was off-limits!) to help her bring a heavy bookcase inside. I chose to rant and rave instead for 100 paragraphs

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

first things first:

[Show spoiler]

(1) i found it ridiculous because to suddenly have

[Show spoiler]Briony be at the end of her life and to write a book about it and then just suddenly say, "oh i made that scene up" was a slap in the face. i found it baffling. it looked like bad story telling like when a character suddenly just gets killed off.

i had no idea this was based on a book, so i don't know how the book ends, but if it's the same then i can't really complain too much since it didn't deviate. i think that explaining the

[Show spoiler]scene with her sister and Robbie was made up

could have been explained differently, i don't know how exactly, (definitely not a dream sequence please) but i think something else could have been more useful.

(2) ah, gotcha. i was trying to figure out what they were and couldn't quite place if they were just people who were secretly falling for each other or bf / gf at a rough patch.

(3) i know. i don't know if i wrote something that you took the wrong way, but i actually liked how the film showed a few different scenes from different people's perspectives, so when we see the scene with Robbie and Cecilia we know what actually happened, but we also know what Briony thought was happening.

(4) i scoff because for something so important you think he would be paying more attention! you analogy of

[Show spoiler]grabbing the wrong soda is a completely different level of importance over sending out a sexually explicit letter and the apology letter

and for that i think someone would pay closer attention. i know i would. smaller stuff? yeah, mistakes happen. but for bigger things such as that? eesh. maybe once in a great while, but even that i think is hard pressing.

(5) lifelong journey?! we barely see her! in her hospital time yes, we do see her

[Show spoiler]writing her book about the incident, and obviously how it effects her

and the simple fact that she

[Show spoiler]joined a nursing school instead of doing something else shows she regrets it

but i never felt that we were supposed to see her grief over the situation. she was a nurse. she was living her life. i do understand and the film does show us, but i never once got the impression that she was

[Show spoiler] as sorry as she should have been. until the end where she's talking about the book.

(6) i get that they cared about each other, but at no time did i feel these people were soul mates or anything major - until much later in the film. and even then, because they were so

[Show spoiler]distant because of the incident

i didn't feel a connection there. that may just be me though.

(7) i was too busy looking at how ridiculous the ending was (yes, ridiculous ) because of what i mentioned in paragraph #1. i liked how it ended with

[Show spoiler]them together at the beach house that they talked about

but to me, in all honesty it felt like Briony did that

[Show spoiler]in the story so she could simply forgive herself and put a happy ending in place so the grief wouldn't be so strong.

and also, please inform me of where i should put spoiler tags in my review! i went through and added some and i don't know what else should be spoiler tagged. i think i have any issues covered, the rest is just plot points i believe.

1) gotta disagree. I wasn't thrilled with the ending the first time I watched it either, but everytime I see it the ending works more and more. and the book/movie is about the power of art to make something eternal as well, so there is a dual purpose to it.

4) gotta disagree.

5) yes, lifelong journey. we see her at

[Show spoiler]the three most significant times in her life, showing tremendous growth. sorry, but it is the very essence of a lifelong journey. just because it's only three time periods doesn't mean it's not lifelong, especially with the weight of what happened. it's the very nature of the word "atonement," in that it is not a simple process.

[Show spoiler]of course she was as sorry as she should have been. we see this multiple times. when she was 13, she was undeniably smart and had a bright future ahead of her. she took one of the most difficult, physically and emotionally, jobs that a person could've had--nurse at a hospital during wartime. why? because Robbie had to suffer as a soldier, because she ruined her life so she tried to atone by altering her own, and because it required helping ppl on a daily basis to atone for ruining someone's life. the ending shows how sorry she is too. redgrave looking in the mirror alone conveys the incredible emotion she felt, as well as the "first novel" line. i really don't see how you thought she didn't care too much--redgrave's performance incredibly conveyed that. was it conveyed as strongly before? not through facial emotions, but through the actions of middle Briony, yes.

6) that's my point. hollywood has spoiled us into making us want to see everything. the film forces you to pick up on small clues to "get" the extent of their love. flashbacks would've been lazy.

7) you're not completely wrong. that was the purpose of the book and one of the points behind the movie. can we ever really atone for what we do? what she ends up doing is a form of atonement, yes, but is it enough? what else could she have done after the fact? as for whether it's selfish, I'm not Ayn Rand so I can't answer that. She would say that there are no unselfish acts, to which I would reply that she was a crazy and untalented writer who I find despicable. Off-topic, yes, but needs to be said.

Spoiler tags---the

[Show spoiler]stuff about the letter, for example. yes, it may be in the trailer, but as a major plot point it could give stuff away.

[iam1bearcat]

CARS

easily my least favorite Pixar film to date.

it's hard to explain why i dislike Cars, but it just doesn't click with me. i don't think you have to enjoy cars (actual cars) to enjoy the film, but maybe that has something to do with it? because while i can sit through Cars, it's very bland and at times extremely boring. never thought i'd say that for a Pixar film!

the story itself is also just very, "meh" and doesn't hold my interest.

i like the quirky "car related" dialogue, and of course it looks amazing, but i just couldn't connect with any of the characters. and i didn't really care to learn about them. big city kid gets stuck in small hick town? original... and of course the big city kid is arrogant and selfish and of course he learns his lesson at the end of the movie.

and the end just feels to sugar coated and super gushy. it's sickening in a sense.

most Pixar movies are above the IQ level of the intended audience. while being enjoyed by kids and giving them laughs and something fun and shiny to watch, adults also can enjoy the "under the radar" symbolism and messages that Pixar puts in their films. but Cars? Cars doesn't have that. Cars has a very basic, generic, done a million times already message. story wise and characters, i think Pixar just cashed it in here.

2.5/5

[Marcus Wright]

Cars.

As good as any other Pixar flick, with good action, great dialog, adorable characters, and great deep meaning and messages for adults as well.

5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

1) gotta disagree. I wasn't thrilled with the ending the first time I watched it either, but everytime I see it the ending works more and more. and the book/movie is about the power of art to make something eternal as well, so there is a dual purpose to it.

4) gotta disagree.

5) yes, lifelong journey. we see her at

[Show spoiler]the three most significant times in her life, showing tremendous growth. sorry, but it is the very essence of a lifelong journey. just because it's only three time periods doesn't mean it's not lifelong, especially with the weight of what happened. it's the very nature of the word "atonement," in that it is not a simple process.

[Show spoiler]of course she was as sorry as she should have been. we see this multiple times. when she was 13, she was undeniably smart and had a bright future ahead of her. she took one of the most difficult, physically and emotionally, jobs that a person could've had--nurse at a hospital during wartime. why? because Robbie had to suffer as a soldier, because she ruined her life so she tried to atone by altering her own, and because it required helping ppl on a daily basis to atone for ruining someone's life. the ending shows how sorry she is too. redgrave looking in the mirror alone conveys the incredible emotion she felt, as well as the "first novel" line. i really don't see how you thought she didn't care too much--redgrave's performance incredibly conveyed that. was it conveyed as strongly before? not through facial emotions, but through the actions of middle Briony, yes.

6) that's my point. hollywood has spoiled us into making us want to see everything. the film forces you to pick up on small clues to "get" the extent of their love. flashbacks would've been lazy.

7) you're not completely wrong. that was the purpose of the book and one of the points behind the movie. can we ever really atone for what we do? what she ends up doing is a form of atonement, yes, but is it enough? what else could she have done after the fact? as for whether it's selfish, I'm not Ayn Rand so I can't answer that. She would say that there are no unselfish acts, to which I would reply that she was a crazy and untalented writer who I find despicable. Off-topic, yes, but needs to be said.

Spoiler tags---the

[Show spoiler]stuff about the letter, for example. yes, it may be in the trailer, but as a major plot point it could give stuff away.

this is definitely one film where we seem polar opposites on most categories.

although i have to admit i was enjoying it more and more as the film progressed, and then the ending came so maybe that's why i dislike it so much (because i finally felt the movie was getting good). so maybe in a few months i will view it again and see, if like you, i enjoy the ending more than i did here on my first viewing.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Cars.

As good as any other Pixar flick, with good action, great dialog, adorable characters, and great deep meaning and messages for adults as well.

5/5

i get the feeling someone has a problem with someone's opinion...

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

CARS

easily my least favorite Pixar film to date.

it's hard to explain why i dislike Cars, but it just doesn't click with me. i don't think you have to enjoy cars (actual cars) to enjoy the film, but maybe that has something to do with it? because while i can sit through Cars, it's very bland and at times extremely boring. never thought i'd say that for a Pixar film!

the story itself is also just very, "meh" and doesn't hold my interest.

i like the quirky "car related" dialogue, and of course it looks amazing, but i just couldn't connect with any of the characters. and i didn't really care to learn about them. big city kid gets stuck in small hick town? original... and of course the big city kid is arrogant and selfish and of course he learns his lesson at the end of the movie.

and the end just feels to sugar coated and super gushy. it's sickening in a sense.

most Pixar movies are above the IQ level of the intended audience. while being enjoyed by kids and giving them laughs and something fun and shiny to watch, adults also can enjoy the "under the radar" symbolism and messages that Pixar puts in their films. but Cars? Cars doesn't have that. Cars has a very basic, generic, done a million times already message. story wise and characters, i think Pixar just cashed it in here.

2.5/5

So does Wall-E, which is why that is by far my least favorite. Cars wasn't particularly poignant, but it was fun and is a good film at the very least.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

So does Wall-E, which is why that is by far my least favorite. Cars wasn't particularly poignant, but it was fun and is a good film at the very least.

i can't place any movies that have a story similar to Wall-E, but it might just be because i'm extremely tired
and i didn't find Cars all that fun. and on my "rating scale" a 3 is usually that i enjoyed it, even if i wasn't particularly fond of it. but for Cars, i only enjoyed very limited bits and pieces, so thus a 2.5/5. i can SEE that it is a good film, i just didn't FEEL that way. if that makes sense.

[iam1bearcat]

The Godfather

i've been thinking all day about The Godfather...

i watched it last night / into this morning for the very first time. and jotted some notes down along the way. then, instead of writing a review right away, i slept on it. woke up today, and started thinking about it, and just recently finished it a second time. although mainly to refresh my memory as i was working on other stuff, but i was listening and diligently taking notes.

but at the end of the day, if you were to ask me, "do you like The Godfather?" my answer would be, "no".

it's not a badly made film of course, i just found it a bit tedious, extremely drawn out and at times boring. it's a film where there's a lot to pay attention to and a lot of details (mainly names and faces you have to remember) and i found myself constantly rewinding and watching scenes over again because i found myself just zoning out.

held my attention it did not.

and i love slow burning movies. about 80% of my personal favorites probably fall into that "slow burner" category, but this just didn't do anything for me. and not to get anyone riled up, but the technical side of things didn't wow me either.

the atmosphere / cinematography? yeah, those i enjoyed and were great.
the directing? i didn't find anything to special about it or anything that made me go, "wow, that was directed really well". maybe i'm just NSE in that department.

and in the acting department. i didn't find anything that stood out as terrible acting (a few obnoxious, at times laughably over-exaggerated scenes maybe), but nothing that made me stand up and take notice. maybe because it's from a different era i don't see what most see. and maybe because i haven't seen that many films from before 1980 i don't understand or comprehend how advanced The Godfather was / is. but either way, when the credits rolled i said to myself the following things:

* "i guess i enjoyed it. glad i finally watched what many consider to be one of the best movies of all time"

* "i have absolutely no interest in seeing the sequels"

* "thank god i rented this instead of buying the trilogy!"

maybe The Godfather and mob / mafia movies just aren't my cup of tea. no matter what
i wasn't a huge fan of The Departed (3.5/5), or GoodFellas (3/5) and have no interest in Donnie Brasco and other movies of the same caliber.

if i had a "one and done" collection (i may have to start one just for fun ) The Godfather would definitely be on it.

simply put, nothing clicked with me, won me over, or made me take notice.

3/5

[kurtis21]

I just finally watched SE7EN on blu-ray. This is one of my top 3 movies of all-time! All I can say is.....W O W!!! This is one AMAZING movie! The story, the acting, the characters, are all amazing. All I can say is...the PQ was AMAZING!!!!! The AQ was PHENOMENAL!!!! The 7.1 surround just blew my mind! Just the overall experience is breathtaking! This is truly one of cinema's most underrated movies IMO!!!! I can't recommend this movie enough if have never seen it! Truly a RARE masterpiece!

Movie-5/5
PQ-5+/5
AQ-5+/5

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!