The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Finally have a complete day off with nothing that has to be done...so its Fast and Furious marathon time

How about a Star Trek review?

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

How about a Star Trek review?

Sure thing...


Star Trek: Into Darkness

It's been a long wait for this one, but I'm glad that it was not a rushed sequel out the following year.

I can't say if this one will go over better with the fans of the old stuff that hated the 09 movie, but I can say if you enjoyed the 09 film then you will likely enjoy this one as it is largely more of the same. That may actually be one of the biggest flaws of the film to some people. For me, however, what was provided worked.

Into Darkness is one of those sequels that truly does feel just like a continuation of the previous film and not something completely separate. The characters are in places you would expect them to be going off of how they ended up in the first movie and I loved that.

One flaw I will admit for the film is that it doesn't have much to do with Uhura or Chekov at all this time around...which doesn't really bother me for Chekov, but I would have liked to see more material for Saldana to work with. The focus of this film is very much on Kirk and Spock. Even Harrison doesn't receive as much screen time as I would hope...but that feeling is mostly because Cumberbatch does such a fantastic job with the time and material he is given. He steals the show any time that he is on screen and one can't help but watch his turn as the films baddie. Everyone else, little or a lot of screen time, brings back the same quality performances put forth four years ago.

I enjoyed each story line the film presents, but the two major story lines presented here could have each been better served as their own separate film. Not that they don't work when interwoven into a single movie, but with a separate film dedicated to each of them there would have been more room for each story to breath and be fleshed out even more so.

I will say that I did enjoy this one overall less than the first film, but that is only because I so highly enjoy the 09 movie. It sits in my Top 15 favorite films afterall. While it may not live up to the "original" for me, it is still a hell of a good time and a fun ride for just over two hours.

You want a quality movie, with quality performances and one that makes it fun along the way? Star Trek Into Darkness, just like Star Trek, is very much the movie for you.

Rating - 4.5/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Sure thing...


Star Trek: Into Darkness

[Show spoiler]It's been a long wait for this one, but I'm glad that it was not a rushed sequel out the following year.

I can't say if this one will go over better with the fans of the old stuff that hated the 09 movie, but I can say if you enjoyed the 09 film then you will likely enjoy this one as it is largely more of the same. That may actually be one of the biggest flaws of the film to some people. For me, however, what was provided worked.

Into Darkness is one of those sequels that truly does feel just like a continuation of the previous film and not something completely separate. The characters are in places you would expect them to be going off of how they ended up in the first movie and I loved that.

One flaw I will admit for the film is that it doesn't have much to do with Uhura or Chekov at all this time around...which doesn't really bother me for Chekov, but I would have liked to see more material for Saldana to work with. The focus of this film is very much on Kirk and Spock. Even Harrison doesn't receive as much screen time as I would hope...but that feeling is mostly because Cumberbatch does such a fantastic job with the time and material he is given. He steals the show any time that he is on screen and one can't help but watch his turn as the films baddie. Everyone else, little or a lot of screen time, brings back the same quality performances put forth four years ago.

I enjoyed each story line the film presents, but the two major story lines presented here could have each been better served as their own separate film. Not that they don't work when interwoven into a single movie, but with a separate film dedicated to each of them there would have been more room for each story to breath and be fleshed out even more so.

I will say that I did enjoy this one overall less than the first film, but that is only because I so highly enjoy the 09 movie. It sits in my Top 15 favorite films afterall. While it may not live up to the "original" for me, it is still a hell of a good time and a fun ride for just over two hours.

You want a quality movie, with quality performances and one that makes it fun along the way? Star Trek Into Darkness, just like Star Trek, is very much the movie for you.

Rating - 4.5/5

I'm too lazy to say anything else right now, so I'll just go with...



I had a blast watching this on Saturday.

[legendarymatt92]

"I mean to beat you to death, and drink your blood from a boot."

The Good Points: Hugely enjoyable. Masterful opening scene. Surprisingly elegant and proficient cinematography. Wonderful performance from Cruise. Mesmerisingly artistic, and flat-out entertaining. Great, if a little underused, mysterious villain. That incredible, extended car chase. Well-written Reacher character. Lean and thrilling. Perfect, unintrusive comic relief.

The Bad Points: Rushed and unoriginal ending. Criminally under-established atmosphere surrounding Reacher, especially in the first act.


The ending may diminish some of its charm, but Jack Reacher is a surprisingly artistic and bombastically entertaining entry into a genre that has desperately needed something new and interesting for a long time. It perfectly balances hard action with freqent comedy and, whilst achieving nothing new or unique, does what it does creatively and well.

8.5/10

[jvince]

Sound City (2013)
dir. Dave Grohl

The Good: The first 70 minutes, which traces the history of the legendary, rundown, L.A. recording studio through a variety of behind-the-scenes accounts from the owners, staff, producers, and famous rock icons, such as Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Neil Young, Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails), and Nirvana, to name a few. Grohl and former Nirvana bandmates Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear jamming with Paul freaking McCartney. The closing credits with the artists talking about their very first bands and the Budweiser brewery near the studio that "smells like poop."

The Bad: I don't like how Grohl makes it more about the highly-coveted Neve soundboard in the final third of the movie while shifting the focus on him and his get together project with his fellow musicians. It's called Sound City; not The Neve Console, not Dave Grohl & Friends.

The Bottom Line: A decent directorial debut by Grohl. Worth checking out for fans of classic rock.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

Oh yeah, I must have just glossed over the word "improvement" when I first read your review, sorry!

That was exactly what I felt Primer missed; beyond all the calculated science and grand, ambitious ideas, it never really had characters you understood or cared for at its heart, which I assume is how you feel, too?

Yeah, I felt that way when I saw Primer (I was confused as hell as well ). I'd like to check it out again some other time (same with Upstream).

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

Sound City (2013)
dir. Dave Grohl

The Good: The first 70 minutes, which traces the history of the legendary, rundown, L.A. recording studio through a variety of behind-the-scenes accounts from the owners, staff, producers, and famous rock icons, such as Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Neil Young, Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails), and Nirvana, to name a few. Grohl and former Nirvana bandmates Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear jamming with Paul freaking McCartney. The closing credits with the artists talking about their very first bands and the Budweiser brewery near the studio that "smells like poop."

The Bad: I don't like how Grohl makes it more about the highly-coveted Neve soundboard in the final third of the movie while shifting the focus on him and his get together project with his fellow musicians. It's called Sound City; not The Neve Console, not Dave Grohl & Friends.

The Bottom Line: A decent directorial debut by Grohl. Worth checking out for fans of classic rock.

I had a friend who made me watch this and I was pretty unimpressed. It really just goes on about "How the music isn't real anymore" yet has a pretty much nice and neat representation of everything ("Yeah, people just pissed on the floor, wasn't that great") and when it gets up to Kurt Cobain pretty much god worship while avoiding what he was really like. There's a lot to like, but the film just came off as uninteresting nostalgia trip to me.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I had a friend who made me watch this and I was pretty unimpressed. It really just goes on about "How the music isn't real anymore" yet has a pretty much nice and neat representation of everything ("Yeah, people just pissed on the floor, wasn't that great") and when it gets up to Kurt Cobain pretty much god worship while avoiding what he was really like. There's a lot to like, but the film just came off as uninteresting nostalgia trip to me.

I read it was originally supposed to be a short documentary for the 20th anniversary of Nevermind, so that's probably why it felt that way. But I didn't find an issue with that at all. I just thought the movie should have ended when Sound City closed.

[legendarymatt92]

"The fundamentals? You're black, they're white! This isn't hockey!"

The Good Points: Stephen Merchant's performance was kinda funny, I guess.

The Bad Points: Everything else. The biggest, most unholy mess I've seen in a very long time. Every star who appears in it should be ashamed of themselves, and the project should never have even been green-lit. Offensive, derogatory, disrespectful and downright stupid, and never in a humorous or even mildly amusing way. Terrible framing device but, on the grand scale of things, analysing the technical problems this film had would just continue to waste my time, so I won't bother.

In summary: just don't see it.

0.5/10

[it's important to note that I didn't give it zero because I'm utterly amazed that famous actors agreed to do it, let alone turned up each day to actually be filmed saying the damn lines.]

[Racy Lacy]

Ok so right from the preview I was outraged! Just another action flick? Not only that but the technical errors! Focus was inappropriate in more than enough shots, and I have to say I am disappointed.

I felt there was dialogue missing in some places mostly around Spock.

HOWEVER...

I was extremely impressed with the display of characteristics between Kirk and Spock. Their relationship was executed quite comfortably.

Action sequences even though I will always feel were bashed together with the 'in' technology were written and directed quite effectively, bar the miss use of guided focus.

NOTE: I have already been spanked for my blasphemy.

[Abdrewes]

Racy Lacy, I was also unimpressed with Abrams' direction. It's evident he shoots his films much like TV: a workmanlike point A to B style. Im sorry but, Lens flares, Dutch angles and circular camera movement does not constitute an original visual style, however great the effects were.

(It's not Blasphemy to point this out)

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Racy Lacy

NOTE: I have already been spanked for my blasphemy.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

(It's not Blasphemy to point this out)

Blasphemer - YouTube

[jvince]

This Is the End (2013)
dir. Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

The Good: Relentless, laugh-out-loud banter and self-deprecating humor. Michael Cera like you've never seen him before. The severed head. The whole discussion about sending "rapey vibes" to sole female survivor Emma Watson. Pineapple Express 2. The epically hysterical argument between James Franco and Danny McBride that will have you gasping for air. "The f*cker's got to go! The f*cker's got to go!" The Exorcism of Jonah Hill. The surprise cameos;

[Show spoiler]Channing Tatum as a f*cking gimp slave

and

[Show spoiler]the Backstreet Boys performing 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' in heaven

? Genius.

The Bad: Plot is pretty shallow and really just a whole lot of nonsense that feels like a bunch of skits simply mashed together as a feature movie. Awful, cheap-looking CGI effects.

The Bottom Line: This Is the End is deeply flawed but undeniably funny as hell, pun intended. A surprisingly potent crowdpleaser -- that is if you're in for some good, mindless fun.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Blasphemer - YouTube

I have a free ticket, so I think I will see it again. Lens flares and all, it was still an entertaining film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jvince

This Is the End (2013)
dir. Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

The Good: Relentless, laugh-out-loud banter and self-deprecating humor. Michael Cera like you've never seen him before. The severed head. The whole discussion about sending "rapey vibes" to sole female survivor Emma Watson. Pineapple Express 2. The epically hysterical argument between James Franco and Danny McBride that will have you gasping for air. "The f*cker's got to go! The f*cker's got to go!" The Exorcism of Jonah Hill. The surprise cameos;

[Show spoiler]Channing Tatum as a f*cking gimp slave

and

[Show spoiler]the Backstreet Boys performing 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' in heaven

? Genius.

The Bad: Plot is pretty shallow and really just a whole lot of nonsense that feels like a bunch of skits simply mashed together as a feature movie. Awful, cheap-looking CGI effects.

The Bottom Line: This Is the End is deeply flawed but undeniably funny as hell, pun intended. A surprisingly potent crowdpleaser -- that is if you're in for some good, mindless fun.

I have a feeling this film will flop fonancially. Sounds interesting though.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I have a feeling this film will flop fonancially. Sounds interesting though.

After seeing it, I have a feeling it might actually be a surprise hit. Everybody really loved it. Word of mouth's gonna be strong.

[legendarymatt92]

"You make us immigrants look bad."

The Good Points: Deliriously entertaining for the most part. Some incredible action set-pieces. Arnold, in all his majestic glory. A kind of visual splendour rarely seen in these types of action movies. Some great humour, especially from Knoxville. That fist-fight.

The Bad Points: Clichéd and generic. Never tries to be truly unique or original, and is content with just being a re-hash of the classic '80s action-vehicles. Questionable editing style, at times.


It certainly isn't going to be inducted into cinema's Hall of Fame any time soon, but The Last Stand features enough thrills and one-liners to sate even the most-hardened action fan, and provide some decent, mindless entertainment to everyone else -- even though it doesn't quite do anything original enough to distinguish itself from the myriad of 80s action knock-offs released every year.

6/10

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

This Is the End (2013)
dir. Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

The Good: Relentless, laugh-out-loud banter and self-deprecating humor. Michael Cera like you've never seen him before. The severed head. The whole discussion about sending "rapey vibes" to sole female survivor Emma Watson. Pineapple Express 2. The epically hysterical argument between James Franco and Danny McBride that will have you gasping for air. "The f*cker's got to go! The f*cker's got to go!" The Exorcism of Jonah Hill. The surprise cameos;

[Show spoiler]Channing Tatum as a f*cking gimp slave

and

[Show spoiler]the Backstreet Boys performing 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' in heaven

? Genius.

The Bad: Plot is pretty shallow and really just a whole lot of nonsense that feels like a bunch of skits simply mashed together as a feature movie. Awful, cheap-looking CGI effects.

The Bottom Line: This Is the End is deeply flawed but undeniably funny as hell, pun intended. A surprisingly potent crowdpleaser -- that is if you're in for some good, mindless fun.

I'm glad this is funny, had mixed feelings towards the trailer but I really like all these actors. Although I think The World's End is going to be better.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jvince

After seeing it, I have a feeling it might actually be a surprise hit. Everybody really loved it. Word of mouth's gonna be strong.

I'm sure this has a much smaller budget than Scott Pilgrim, but I kind of see this film similarly being a strong hit within certain circles, while being completely overlooked by the general movie-going audience in favor of Man of Steel and The Internship.

I'll call this right now: It will only recoup its money after strong home video sales in the winter/spring.

[SquidPuppet]

The Squid and the Whale

2005 / R / 81 minutes / DVD

Everyone in this film is unlikable. Some are total jerks. Most events are negative.

I liked it a lot becasue it was a very realistic study of psychology and family dysfunction.

Fim 4/5