The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: “Lemmy.”

This is a feature-length documentary concerning Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer of Motorhead, which totally ROCKZ, dude!!!!1!11!

I first garnered an interest in this fellow after reading an article about him in Rolling Stone, which portrayed him in a pretty interesting light. Lemmy is the man; he’s sixty-something years old, but still tours and rocks hard, still hangs at his local bar, has a massive collection of WWII artifacts (including a working tank in his backyard ), and despite his rough-looking exterior, he is described as one of the nicest and coolest dudes ever. More importantly, he is described as one of the last renegades of the fading rock and roll era: a man who doesn’t really give a flying frakk what others think and will do things his way.

Cobbling together a mixture of interviews, concert and touring footage, and some footage following Lemmy in his daily life, we get a solid portrait of the man and his history, including just about everything listed above. It gets a little bit into the awkward situation between him and his son, and there are a number of interesting (and sometimes funny) stories throughout his career. My only complaint is that there’s no real structure or objective to this film; even if it’s meant to be a portrait, montage, or biography, I find it a little too random to be properly effective, and I found myself losing interest at some parts.

As far as documentaries go, it is well-filmed and edited (even if it lacks a coherent structure). Aside from Lemmy, the film also features comments from a huge list of other celebrities. I find it a little hard to discern Lemmy’s voice, which is a little low-pitched and gravely (but thankfully not as incoherent as Ozzy ), but otherwise everybody’s comments are delivered well. And of course, the music rocks!

4/5 (entertainment: 3.5/5, content: 4.5/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: For Motorhead and heavy metal fans.

The Blu-Ray looks darn near perfect, save for a few soft-looking shots and a few dark and grainy shots (likely source issues). Sound quality is okay, but some of the concert/music footage should have been louder and more dynamic.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 3.5/5

Extras include nearly an hour’s worth of music and concert footage, which in itself makes the disc even more worthwhile (and will likely be the biggest drive for me to buy the disc ). There’s also a huge number of additional scenes, footage, interviews, and lord-knows what else.

Extras: 5/5

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I'm looking forward to Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks in three weeks...

I haven't heard any of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks' songs, But I do like Pavement. At first, I couldn't get into their music, but one day (after many, many tries) I just got obsessed with them. Their songs are pretty easy to play on the guitar too.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by jvince

I haven't heard any of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks' songs, But I do like Pavement. At first, I couldn't get into their music, but one day (after many, many tries) I just got obsessed with them. Their songs are pretty easy to play on the guitar too.

Real Emotional Trash is my favorite, but I like them all.

I recently watched Oldboy for the first time. Interesting stuff. I would probably rate it 4/5 and be interesting in seeing the other two parts of the trilogy.

The Killing Blu-ray arrived this week too. I had already seen the film and rated it 4/5. The first 21 minutes of the Blu-ray were full of noise in the image; then it settled down. I'm wondering if there was an error in the transfer because Criterion doesn't usually have such an uneven presentation. Haven't watched Killer's Kiss yet.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I recently watched Oldboy for the first time. Interesting stuff. I would probably rate it 4/5 and be interesting in seeing the other two parts of the trilogy.

The Killing Blu-ray arrived this week too. I had already seen the film and rated it 4/5. The first 21 minutes of the Blu-ray were full of noise in the image; then it settled down. I'm wondering if there was an error in the transfer because Criterion doesn't usually have such an uneven presentation. Haven't watched Killer's Kiss yet.

"OldBoy" really grew on me. I liked "Mr Vengeance," and thought that "Lady Vengeance" was alright.

I seem to remember thinking that other Criterion ones (like "Charade," and "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence") had a similar issue; noisy as hell in the first ten minutes, then it clears up perfectly. I figure that these, along with "The Killing," must have been lower on their priority of titles to restore, so they skimped out on a few scenes. Just not quite as sublime as "The Seven Samurai" and other big hits of theirs.

Back when I saw "The Killing" and "Killer's Kiss," I liked "KK" a grade better. But most other folks I've met didn't seem to care for it.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

"OldBoy" really grew on me. I liked "Mr Vengeance," and thought that "Lady Vengeance" was alright.

I'll check them out when I can.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Real Emotional Trash is my favorite, but I like them all.

I recently watched Oldboy for the first time. Interesting stuff. I would probably rate it 4/5 and be interesting in seeing the other two parts of the trilogy.

The Killing Blu-ray arrived this week too. I had already seen the film and rated it 4/5. The first 21 minutes of the Blu-ray were full of noise in the image; then it settled down. I'm wondering if there was an error in the transfer because Criterion doesn't usually have such an uneven presentation. Haven't watched Killer's Kiss yet.

Love Oldboy, trust me, it will really grow on you over the next few weeks. It's one I really want to buy but it physically isn't being sold anywhere, I'll have to jump online to pick it up.

[Foggy]

Moon

Already wrote a pretty good review to this one about 2 months ago, the films awesome

10/10

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I seem to remember thinking that other Criterion ones (like "Charade," and "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence") had a similar issue; noisy as hell in the first ten minutes, then it clears up perfectly. I figure that these, along with "The Killing," must have been lower on their priority of titles to restore, so they skimped out on a few scenes. Just not quite as sublime as "The Seven Samurai" and other big hits of theirs.

I haven't watched my copy of Charade yet to be able to comment on it, but it's possible that what they had to work with was a factor as well. Who knows, but it's possible.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by killowertz

I haven't watched my copy of Charade yet to be able to comment on it, but it's possible that what they had to work with was a factor as well. Who knows, but it's possible.

Can't help the source limitations.

No big deal; I can handle some noise and print damage, just as long as the image is sharp (and it is 95% of the time with the Criterions).

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Can't help the source limitations.

No big deal; I can handle some noise and print damage, just as long as the image is sharp (and it is 95% of the time with the Criterions).

Exactly. Most of the time you have very little to worry about when you put in a Criterion Blu-ray. Granted I have only watched 4 of my 7 so far, but it's still nice.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Pretty bummed I'm going to be out of the States for the theatrical re-release of my favorite Disney movie of all time.

The Lion King 3D Trailer - YouTube

Where are you going?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Where are you going?

Fortaleza to visit family and volunteer for a local health care program.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Fortaleza to visit family and volunteer for a local health care program.

Admirable.

Any fun in the sun planned?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Admirable.

Any fun in the sun planned?

You bet. Their "winter" just ended, but it always feels like summer there. I'll definitely try to visit the beaches. Can't wait for some authentic água de coco.

[Show spoiler]

Also might bring a few blu-rays because my cousin has a PS3 but I am not sure if the PS3 or my blu-rays are region free.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You bet. Their "winter" just ended, but it always feels like summer there. I'll definitely try to visit the beaches. Can't wait for some authentic água de coco.

[Show spoiler]

Also might bring a few blu-rays because my cousin has a PS3 but I am not sure if the PS3 or my blu-rays are region free.

Your Blu-rays should say on the back if they are. Or, you can check the stats on this site.

[volcomsocal]

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban - 2004

Don't have much to say about this one. Through 3/4 of the movie, I wasn't that entertained. It felt very disconnected, storyline wise. The story didn't feel linear at all. It was like a bunch of random stuff thrown at the audience, with no clear form of continuity. New characters and objects appeared without any backstory or intro. But then the last 30-40 minutes of the movie changed all that. The ending was great... exciting, and full of suspense. Without that ending, HP3 would have been a big letdown.

PQ - 4/5
AQ - 3.5/5

3/5

[iam1bearcat]

FYI: to Surf, jvince and any others, the first two seasons of Breaking Bad are on sale right now. you can get both for about $34. well worth the investment. might wanna just throw in season 3 while you're there. as soon as season 2 ends, you're gonna NEED it anyway

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban - 2004

Don't have much to say about this one. Through 3/4 of the movie, I wasn't that entertained. It felt very disconnected, storyline wise. The story didn't feel linear at all. It was like a bunch of random stuff thrown at the audience, with no clear form of continuity. New characters and objects appeared without any backstory or intro. But then the last 30-40 minutes of the movie changed all that. The ending was great... exciting, and full of suspense. Without that ending, HP3 would have been a big letdown.

PQ - 4/5
AQ - 3.5/5

3/5

this is the HP movie that I was saying has a similar plot sequence as Triangle.

[Show spoiler] HP & Hermine participate in a "loop" where they see themselves doing what they have already done

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

FYI: to Surf, jvince and any others, the first two seasons of Breaking Bad are on sale right now. you can get both for about $34. well worth the investment. might wanna just throw in season 3 while you're there. as soon as season 2 ends, you're gonna NEED it anyway

dang it! I may have to bite! Squid daring to compare it to LOST? Then bearcat endorsing it too?

EDIT: I just read the overview...WTF?!??! As long as the main character isn't completely unlikeable? Sounds like he could be...

[Show spoiler]drug dealers are always polarizing, it seems

. let me know.

[Foggy]

The Lost Boys

Some Joel Schumacher Vampire madness!

It's just a flat out entertaining movie, it's a bit daft, well quite a bit daft, it's got some kid trying to be a Clint Eastwood-esque vampire hunter. It's got Jack Bauer as a vampire who's litterally has to do a evil little chatter laugh at the end of each scene he's in. It's got a crazy grandpa, which is just typical I guess. A very butch dude playing some hardcore sax topless, which I guess Schumacher really enjoyed filming ().

Some random moments that I didn't like, like the abrupt sex scene that litterally comes out of nowhere, and it's a little slow with the set up, with them hanging out at the theme park a little too much, why do vampires have to go to the theme park anyway. And the typical move away from home to hit highjinks was a little too typical for my tastes

Parts I loved were things like the one vampire who falls in to holy water and blood splurts out off all the pipes in the house, I just really like that effect, it was crazy.

Probably one of the best vampire films I've seen in a while

9/10