The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[QuasidodoJr]

I recently did a blind buy on Black Swan, and hate to say I came away a bit disappointed. I was fine with the movie until the ending.

[Show spoiler]Her doing the performance as the Black Swan and finishing out the ballet with a giant hole in her just did not work for me. I realize it was for dramatic effect, that the wound begins to "blossom" as she does the final fall, but I felt like that just took things too far and that's where the movie lost me.

[jvince]

I don't remember laughing at Cassel or anything in Black Swan (maybe the bate scene?), but that's probably because I kept thinking of The Red Shoes (which had more cheesy acting, not to knock on the film). I saw it as kind of a darker and more modern retooling of the latter.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

So, i rewatched Black Swan for the first time since seeing it in the theater and i wasn't re-blown away. Weird, huh? Still good, but i found myself laughing a lot this time. I don't know what's wrong with me.
I'm sure Squid can tell me.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Were you laughing at things that were not intended to be funny? I need to know this in order to conduct a proper analysis.

Oh, I have not seen it since the theater.

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Well, i laughed at almost every scene with Cassell in it. He's so good and cheesy.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Processing information. Stay tuned....

After conducting a thorough analysis of past and present behavior patterns and irregularities, my diagnosis is simple. You are a defective human being. Pooping off of highway bridges and laughing at Black Swan are key symptoms of DHS (Defectus Humanis Syndrome).

Its chronic, progresses rapidy after initial onslaught, and is fatal in 99.983% of all cases. However, some controversial experimantal treatments are being tested wherein repeated viewings of 10,000 BC are shown to slow its advancement.

Tell your wife and kids that you love them, soon...

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

After conducting a thorough analysis of past and present behavior patterns and irregularities, my diagnosis is simple. You are a defective human being. Pooping off of highway bridges and laughing at Black Swan are key symptoms of DHS (Defectus Humanis Syndrome).

Its chronic, progresses rapidy after initial onslaught, and is fatal in 99.983% of all cases. However, some controversial experimantal treatments are being tested wherein repeated viewings of 10,000 BC are shown to slow its advancement.

Tell your wife and kids that you love them, soon...

i'd hate to see what these experimAnts are! i much prefer just common experiments and i mock you for this simple grammar mistake because you were trying to be witty and intelligent! aha!

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

After conducting a thorough analysis of past and present behavior patterns and irregularities, my diagnosis is simple. You are a defective human being. Pooping off of highway bridges and laughing at Black Swan are key symptoms of DHS (Defectus Humanis Syndrome).

Its chronic, progresses rapidy after initial onslaught, and is fatal in 99.983% of all cases. However, some controversial experimantal treatments are being tested wherein repeated viewings of 10,000 BC are shown to slow its advancement.

Tell your wife and kids that you love them, soon...

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i'd hate to see what these experimAnts are! i much prefer just common experiments and i mock you for this simple grammar mistake because you were trying to be witty and intelligent! aha!

And "Its" should be "It's" and "rapidy" should be "rapidly!"

I hate being OC about spelling and grammar...

[KilloWertz]

Enchanted

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden
Year: 2007
Running time: 107 minutes

I'll start off by saying I never thought this would be the movie to get me to write a review after I haven't written a real full review in this thread in over a year. Here I am though because, like Bearcat said in his review for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I fell in love with Enchanted.

I dismissed this movie ever since it was released back in 2007 because musicals aren't my thing. Boy was I wrong, especially considering the singing portions of the movie aren't overdone. There's actually only a handful of songs. The songs that are in the movie are excellent, and Amy Adams and everyone else sings them very well.

Speaking of Amy Adams, she was absolutely perfect as Giselle. I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role and she really pulled of the role of a princess that had never been to our world. I could go on and on, but I'll end my Amy Adams praise by saying that Enchanted likely wouldn't have been as good with anyone else as Giselle. The rest of the cast turns in solid performances as well, with James Marsden doing a fine job in a very silly role.

I won't go into plot details, but Enchanted is a very entertaining mixture of the Disney classics. The filmmakers did a great job of taking those Disney classics and putting their own spin on them in a mostly live action movie. It is silly, but in the right way, and it will definitely put a smile on your face unless you absolutely can't stand singing in a movie or Disney classics. I am very happy to have finally given Enchanted a chance and to have it in my collection. I'm not sure where it would land on my all-time favorites list. I'm not even sure yet where it would land amongst other movies from 2007, but I do know for sure that this was one of my best blind buys in a while.

Disc:
PQ: 5/5
AQ: 4.5/5

Film:
Rating: 5/5

[volcomsocal]

Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story - 2010

(Netflix online streaming)

I love Baseball, and I'm Jewish. Naturally, I wanted to watch this. I'm a sucker for learning the history of America's Pastime, baseball.

Being an L.A. Dodger fan, my all time favorite player is Sandy Koufax. The movie spends a good amount of time on Koufax, as well as Hank Greenberg (the first Jewish baseball superstar), Sean Green, Kevin Youkilis, and others. The movie starts by going all the way back to the inception of baseball, circa mid-1800's, and gives a brief, but not too swift and informative rundown of how Jews entered into the forum of baseball. Dustin Hoffman narrates and there are several interviews by ex-baseball players, and footage of various Jewish players during their career.

My favorite part is when they got to Sandy Koufax, and spent 15-20 minutes on him. He's one of the best pitchers of all time, one of the nicest guys off the field, and is just a marvel to watch on the field.

While this movie would most likely only interest baseball fans, history buffs, or jews, or a combination of the three, it's nonetheless a great history lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, only wishing the length of it was longer.

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

4/5

[Show spoiler]GO DODGERS!!

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

After conducting a thorough analysis of past and present behavior patterns and irregularities, my diagnosis is simple. You are a defective human being. Pooping off of highway bridges and laughing at Black Swan are key symptoms of DHS (Defectus Humanis Syndrome).

Its chronic, progresses rapidy after initial onslaught, and is fatal in 99.983% of all cases. However, some controversial experimantal treatments are being tested wherein repeated viewings of 10,000 BC are shown to slow its advancement.

Tell your wife and kids that you love them, soon...

Ohhhhhhhh, that was worth the wait. I'm sure a shrink would have fun analyzing my "fecal fascination."

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story - 2010

(Netflix online streaming)

I love Baseball, and I'm Jewish. Naturally, I wanted to watch this. I'm a sucker for learning the history of America's Pastime, baseball.

Being an L.A. Dodger fan, my all time favorite player is Sandy Koufax. The movie spends a good amount of time on Koufax, as well as Hank Greenberg (the first Jewish baseball superstar), Sean Green, Kevin Youkilis, and others. The movie starts by going all the way back to the inception of baseball, circa mid-1800's, and gives a brief, but not too swift and informative rundown of how Jews entered into the forum of baseball. Dustin Hoffman narrates and there are several interviews by ex-baseball players, and footage of various Jewish players during their career.

My favorite part is when they got to Sandy Koufax, and spent 15-20 minutes on him. He's one of the best pitchers of all time, one of the nicest guys off the field, and is just a marvel to watch on the field.

While this movie would most likely only interest baseball fans, history buffs, or jews, or a combination of the three, it's nonetheless a great history lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, only wishing the length of it was longer.

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

4/5

[Show spoiler]GO DODGERS!!

On a side note about this movie, anyone knew that the dancers in the park (the older men and women) are some of the dancers that were in Mary Poppins?

[P@t_Mtl]

Star Wars

USA 1977
Directed by George Lucas
With Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Format: DVD

So not episode 4, not A New Hope, just Star Wars. Yesterday was May 25th and like I do every year since 1985, I watch Star Wars on the day of it's release in 1977. A 26 years tradition going strong. Up to 6 years ago I would be watching either a VHS or my Laserdisc copy but since they came out on DVD, I just been using that copy. According to some in the Star Wars threads this is the real Star Wars and you are not a fan if you watch the others In any case I really like watching this original version of the movie on May 25th, just for nostalgia sake. The rest of the year I watch the special edition. So last night Star Wars turn 34 and it's funny that afterall these years and all these times seeing it over those 34 years, this movie still make me feel like that little 9 years old boy who first saw it in 1977. It's keeping me young at heart. Thank you Mr. Lucas.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Star Wars

[Show spoiler]
USA 1977
Directed by George Lucas
With Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Format: DVD

So not episode 4, not A New Hope, just Star Wars. Yesterday was May 25th and like I do every year since 1985, I watch Star Wars on the day of it's release in 1977. A 26 years tradition going strong. Up to 6 years ago I would be watching either a VHS or my Laserdisc copy but since they came out on DVD, I just been using that copy. According to some in the Star Wars threads this is the real Star Wars and you are not a fan if you watch the others In any case I really like watching this original version of the movie on May 25th, just for nostalgia sake. The rest of the year I watch the special edition. So last night Star Wars turn 34 and it's funny that afterall these years and all these times seeing it over those 34 years, this movie still make me feel like that little 9 years old boy who first saw it in 1977. It's keeping me young at heart. Thank you Mr. Lucas.

Yes...this movie sounds vaguely familiar. I seem to remember thinking it was good...

[Show spoiler]

[Diesel]

Star Wars? Never heard of it, must be a little indie flick

[Show spoiler]

[iam1bearcat]

I believe it's a foreign film. And in black and white too I bet since it's so old!

[Show spoiler] this is fun!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i'd hate to see what these experimAnts are! i much prefer just common experiments and i mock you for this simple grammar mistake because you were trying to be witty and intelligent! aha!

It was a spelling error, not a grammar mistake. Get a clue.

[Al_The_Strange]

Speaking of "Star Wars," I did recently get to see this guy performing at our local theater. It was awesome.

YouTube - ‪ONE MAN STAR WARS TRILOGY‬‏

He did a one-man LOTR show that was smashing as well.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

And "Its" should be "It's" and "rapidy" should be "rapidly!"

I hate being OC about spelling and grammar...

Oops on the L, but I frequently intentionally leave out apostrophes. I have a pet peeve against apostrophes. They are unnecessary because the context of the sentence already (and sufficiently) indicates the words meaning, be it plural or possessive. Also, because it's (it is) used to replace letters, it simply adds confusion. It has multiple uses, and that forces you to think "which use is being applied in this sentence?". Why not just let the sentence dictate that? Apostrophes are an utter waste.

"Its time to go to the movis." Did anyone NOT understand that I meant "it is"? Did you think I was talking about multiple "Its"?

"Dannys movie tickets are in his wallet." Did anyone NOT understand that the tickets belong to Danny, and that I wasnt ("was not" for you slow folks) referring to multiple Dannys?" I didnt ("did not" for you slow folks) think so.

The person who invented the false "need" for apostrophes simply complicated things and did so because he had a raging starvation for attention. "Look at me, look at me, I invented something"

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

I believe it's a foreign film. And in black and white too I bet since it's so old!

[Show spoiler] this is fun!

You're thinking of THE real, original movie, aren't you?

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Enchanted

[Show spoiler]Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden
Year: 2007
Running time: 107 minutes

I'll start off by saying I never thought this would be the movie to get me to write a review after I haven't written a real full review in this thread in over a year. Here I am though because, like Bearcat said in his review for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I fell in love with Enchanted.

I dismissed this movie ever since it was released back in 2007 because musicals aren't my thing. Boy was I wrong, especially considering the singing portions of the movie aren't overdone. There's actually only a handful of songs. The songs that are in the movie are excellent, and Amy Adams and everyone else sings them very well.

Speaking of Amy Adams, she was absolutely perfect as Giselle. I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role and she really pulled of the role of a princess that had never been to our world. I could go on and on, but I'll end my Amy Adams praise by saying that Enchanted likely wouldn't have been as good with anyone else as Giselle. The rest of the cast turns in solid performances as well, with James Marsden doing a fine job in a very silly role.

I won't go into plot details, but Enchanted is a very entertaining mixture of the Disney classics. The filmmakers did a great job of taking those Disney classics and putting their own spin on them in a mostly live action movie. It is silly, but in the right way, and it will definitely put a smile on your face unless you absolutely can't stand singing in a movie or Disney classics. I am very happy to have finally given Enchanted a chance and to have it in my collection. I'm not sure where it would land on my all-time favorites list. I'm not even sure yet where it would land amongst other movies from 2007, but I do know for sure that this was one of my best blind buys in a while.

Disc:
PQ: 5/5
AQ: 4.5/5

Film:
Rating: 5/5

But, but, but...... Its a musical

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Ohhhhhhhh, that was worth the wait. I'm sure a shrink would have fun analyzing my "fecal fascination."

Probably. Its unique in the sense that its not just the "matter" you are entranced by, but that you feel compelled to mix the matter and the laws of physics for entertainment purposes. Gravitational pull = an acceleration rate of "X" which equals a top speed of "Y" multiplied by vehicle speed of "Z" at a trajectory of "A" = impact at location "B".

Ha ha ha.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Oops on the L, but I frequently intentionally leave out apostrophes. I have a pet peeve against apostrophes. They are unnecessary because the context of the sentence already (and sufficiently) indicates the words meaning, be it plural or possessive. Also, because it's (it is) used to replace letters, it simply adds confusion. It has multiple uses, and that forces you to think "which use is being applied in this sentence?". Why not just let the sentence dictate that? Apostrophes are an utter waste.

"Its time to go to the movis." Did anyone NOT understand that I meant "it is"? Did you think I was talking about multiple "Its"?

"Dannys movie tickets are in his wallet." Did anyone NOT understand that the tickets belong to Danny, and that I wasnt ("was not" for you slow folks) referring to multiple Dannys?" I didnt ("did not" for you slow folks) think so.

The person who invented the false "need" for apostrophes simply complicated things and did so because he had a raging starvation for attention. "Look at me, look at me, I invented something"

Mygoshthisisabrilliantpost.

[Show spoiler]Thesameguywhonventedtheapostropheinventedspaces.