The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Criterion doesn't exists in the UK, the closest thing I've got to it, is that my friend has the Criterion version of Armageddon (which is region A, so it doesn't work over here)......Go figure

You have Master Of Cinema, they release the same movies most of the times and BFI as well

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Ha this is true but i truly blind buy Criterions, I dont even look at the reviews on them, i read the back and thats it. I buy with confidence from them.

until you watch Breathless and retract that statement

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I think you'll love it, it's got all the makings of an excellent bearcat drama.... and then some

awesome. after reading your review i put it back in the queue

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

You have Master Of Cinema, they release the same movies most of the times and BFI as well

Ahh, yes we do, very fine point sir

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Ahh, yes we do, very fine point sir

Believe me, their releases of Yasujiro Ozu movies right now is killing me, when Criterion, when???

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

You have Master Of Cinema, they release the same movies most of the times and BFI as well

Also, sometimes the PQ is better on these too when compared to the Criterion release. These are some of the current ones I have coming this month from Amazon UK:



Masters of Cinema
Metropolis [Reconstructed & Restored] (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Dual Format Steelbook - This will be my first steelbook
M [Masters of Cinema] [Blu-ray] [1931]
The Burmese Harp [Masters of Cinema] [Blu-ray] I haven't seen this one yet but it sounds interesting

BFI
The Leopard [Blu-ray] [1963]

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You finally saw it! Maybe I was wrong about the animal violence? Haven't seen it in a while, but I could have been too absorbed into the realism. I guess it's subjective either way. Brutal film though in any aspect. Iñárritu makes sure you care for and feel the pain of the characters. The strong direction and performances blend together unbelievably well.

[Show spoiler]Which story did you like the best? Mine changes every time I watch it, but the old man is so awesome. I think his father-daughter relationship was so heartbreaking mixed with his assassin badassery. And doesn't the dog under the floorboards make you grind your teeth off in aggravation? Brilliant and metaphorical.

Not sure which was my favorite, but I'm probably with you - the

[Show spoiler]old man was pretty awesome. At first he seems very "bummish", then he draws his machete and you're thinkin, ok this guy is a badass. Then we don't see much of him, except that he still seems bummish and hangs out with his dogs. Then we find out he kills for cash and that he also wants to be near his daughter, but doesn't know how to approach the situation yet. Then we find out he's a bit sick too and kind of a funny f**ker (when the 2 guys are tied up). When he finally sheds his beard and long hair, I think he puts a lot of his violent past behind him and reverts back to being the father that he once was. Btw his phone call was amazing! And yes the dog in the floor was annoying and sad, and I thought the most emotional "dog" moment in the film was when he was pulled out of the floor.

btw, check this out

Great review, really enjoyed reading it. Such a great film and one of my absolute favorite movies. TIA mon, TIA.

Thanks, Djimon was great in this one. I like Ed Zwick a lot and I can't wait to see Love and Other Drugs.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Yeah, if the write-up and content sounds interesting, they usually don't dissapoint (even if they do turn out to be long or confusing; I think just about all the Criterion movies I've blind-bought have been satisfying).

Im with ya!

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

until you watch Breathless and retract that statement

I might like Breathless. I liked My life to live (Vivre Sa Vie). Its suppose to be his best work so i dont think it will fall short. If it does you guys will be the first to hear about it .

[lDlisturb3d]

Tell No One

Director: Guillaume Canet
Writers: Guillaume Canet, and Harlan Coben (novel)
Mains: François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze and André Dussollier

"All I want is the TRUTH"

Plot: A man's wife is murdered and 8 years later after her death he receives an anonymous email on their anniversary date. Is it a prank or the real deal? His love drives him to find out the truth and to make matters worse his wife's case has reopened and he's the primary suspect.

My Take: First off i would like to say that this movie is GREAT. Tell No One is probably the twistiest thriller i've ever seen, honeslty there are more turns and twist in the movie than a "Bop It Extreme" . I couldn't turn away from it to save my life. I loved every minute of this film. From the opening scene the director shows you how much love was in this relationship and you really have no idea that you are about to watch one of the best thrillers to date. So not only is it a amazing thriller/suspense/mystery film it also has a bit of emotion involved. Gritty and very unpredictable this movie is a gem for sure.

Conclusion: I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this top notch thriller. It host everything a movie viewer would look for in the means of being thrilled. Its twist and turn are unforgivable and most of all shocking. From the beginning of the film you don't know where you are and whats going on. A true gem and is up there with the greats in my book. If you're thinking of a date movie and your significant other its a subaphobic then this movie is highly recommended. You'll be talking about this one the next day for sure.

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION

5/5

[jhiggy23]

Ondine (blu)

PQ: 4.5 (out of 5)

Casey Broadwater is out of his mind if he thinks the the PQ is a 4.0. The PQ is one of the top 20 I've seen.

AQ: 4 (out of 5)

Film: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)



Synopsis:

Syracuse is a poor fisherman whose life is changed forever when he fishes a beautiful live woman out of the sea. His young daughter, Annie, is convinced that the mysterious beauty must be a mermaid. Theories abound about the girl's origins as she transforms the lives of Syracuse, Annie and the local townsfolk.



Review:

This is a fantastic film and one of the best films I've seen regarding the blurring of the lines between fantasy/myth and reality. The reason for this is its symplicity and the fact that it doesn't attempt to be overly smart. Colin Farrell once again proves he's quietly becoming a top class actor. I don't think it's coincidence that his resurgence (In Bruges, Triage, Ondine) has come through smaller films that allow him to speak in his native accent.

The first thing that stands out about this film is its extraordinary photography, the best I've seen this year. This is Ireland as you really haven't seen it, focusing more on the water than the sweeping plains. The performance of the girl who plays Ondine as well as Farrell's daughter are very effective.

The acting, directing, cinematography, and score help this film overcome its obvious shortcomings. The biggest negative of the film is that its conflicts (all of them) are resolved far too quickly in the film, without too much explanation being given. There are also some moments that could be plot holes

[Show spoiler]such as why the mother isn't arrested for DUI manslaughter and why the "bad guy" wasn't arrested on scene in his raft.

Its a testament to how well crafted this film is that it's able to overcome these limitations and potential issues.

Definitely recommended and I'll be picking it up at some point.

[tbizzle]

Glad you liked it man, I'll definitely be picking this one up as well. I agree, the PQ was great! I don't really pay attention to technical issues (I actually don't don't know much about that anyway) but that might be where the reviewer took a few points. And IIRC, it wasn't the sharpest presentation that blu has to offer but without a doubt, it's a great looking transfer.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Awesome.

I agree, I'm still a little puzzled over the title, but the entire thing does provoke a lot of thought. It might become a new top favorite in time...

Yes. The bonus features really delve into how personal this film was to all involved, but mostly Von Trier who had been suffering himself from debilitating anxiety attacks since his childhood. He made the film as a therapeutic vent in an effort to return to work. The bonus features also helped me to not over scrutinize the story in an effort to find meanings that arent there. As disturbing as the film is, I could watch this again. Not next week, but someday.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

I look at the movie as a A woman being the ultimate gate way to the devil because of the overall power she holds over man.

The film goes out of its way to go directly against that notion.

[Show spoiler]First of all, women have never had power over men. Physical or political. The husband reminds us how hundreds of women were killed in the 17th century. Who killed them? Men! Men because they felt threatened. Physical and political power won out. Before mental illness was unserstood, any woman who behaved bizarrely was deemed a witch. Women were scapegoats for mens insecurities.

In todays (only the last couple decades) society women are finally becoming treated closer to equals to men. But for thousands of years men have ruled.

Power over men? Nope. Then why did the Man kill the sick woman? Ultimately HIS power won over hers.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Revanche
Walkabout
Paris, Texas
Seven Samurai
The Thin Red Line
The Darjeeling Limited
TTRL and SS should be here on Monday and Wednesday respectively, can't wait.

Did you shape that like half a triangle on purpose?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Ondine (blu)

PQ: 4.5 (out of 5)

[Show spoiler]Casey Broadwater is out of his mind if he thinks the the PQ is a 4.0. The PQ is one of the top 20 I've seen.

AQ: 4 (out of 5)

Film: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)



Synopsis:

Syracuse is a poor fisherman whose life is changed forever when he fishes a beautiful live woman out of the sea. His young daughter, Annie, is convinced that the mysterious beauty must be a mermaid. Theories abound about the girl's origins as she transforms the lives of Syracuse, Annie and the local townsfolk.



Review:

This is a fantastic film and one of the best films I've seen regarding the blurring of the lines between fantasy/myth and reality. The reason for this is its symplicity and the fact that it doesn't attempt to be overly smart. Colin Farrell once again proves he's quietly becoming a top class actor. I don't think it's coincidence that his resurgence (In Bruges, Triage, Ondine) has come through smaller films that allow him to speak in his native accent.

The first thing that stands out about this film is its extraordinary photography, the best I've seen this year. This is Ireland as you really haven't seen it, focusing more on the water than the sweeping plains. The performance of the girl who plays Ondine as well as Farrell's daughter are very effective.

The acting, directing, cinematography, and score help this film overcome its obvious shortcomings. The biggest negative of the film is that its conflicts (all of them) are resolved far too quickly in the film, without too much explanation being given. There are also some moments that could be plot holes

[Show spoiler]such as why the mother isn't arrested for DUI manslaughter and why the "bad guy" wasn't arrested on scene in his raft.

Its a testament to how well crafted this film is that it's able to overcome these limitations and potential issues.

Definitely recommended and I'll be picking it up at some point

.

Slowly creeping up my queue. Looking forward to it.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Did you shape that like half a triangle on purpose?

It's aesthetically pleasing this way. Don't question my OCD!

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The film goes out of its way to go directly against that notion.

[Show spoiler]First of all, women have never had power over men. Physical or political. The husband reminds us how hundreds of women were killed in the 17th century. Who killed them? Men! Men because they felt threatened. Physical and political power won out. Before mental illness was unserstood, any woman who behaved bizarrely was deemed a witch. Women were scapegoats for mens insecurities.

In todays (only the last couple decades) society women are finally becoming treated closer to equals to men. But for thousands of years men have ruled.

Power over men? Nope. Then why did the Man kill the sick woman? Ultimately HIS power won over hers.

Have you ever read the Bible? This alone is where im coming from.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

It's aesthetically pleasing this way. Don't question my OCD!

i do this too with most of my lists!

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

...horrible acting...really?!

Okay I guess it is cheesy. Especially with the dialogue, but I still enjoyed it and probably wouldn't have it any other way. I always thought Sigourney Weaver and Michael Beihn were awesome here, and I didn't mind the others.

there was no horrible acting in ALIENS-- the comment is ridiculous-- I'm tired of generic comments like this in horror/sci-fi/action films-- it's like there's nothing to complain about so "badly acted" always comes to play..

there are films of these genres that do have noticeably bad acting-- but this isn't one of them

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Antichrist

However, because of that, the title is all wrong. God is here? God abandoned us? Satan rules? NONE of that is depicted anywhere in the movie other than the in the ramblings and writings of a mentally disturbed woman. Its never projected as a reality.

Great review!!

As far as this part -- what if her "mental illness" could be viewed from a theological/biblical perspective? Where women are viewed as flawed/evil/sinful/etc? To support this: Didn't her paper she was reading/writing did discuss that women

[Show spoiler]deserve to be abused/etc? In other words: enforced a mental illness of hate/gulit of one's own gender?

. Also wasn't the film in "Eden", where Genesis (i.e. theological perspective) says that

[Show spoiler](1) God told Adam/Eve not to pick fruit from Tree of Knowledge, (2) Serpent tempted Eve (translation: women effed up), (3) Eve took fruit, gave some to Adam, (4) Adam and Eve ate fruit (5) God kicked Adam and Eve (i.e., humanity) out of Eden, and forbid them from Tree of Life (from a life free of sin/pain), all because momma bear effed up From that standpoint, it seems reasonable that the director is suggesting (1) "She" feels guilty about her son's death, and her guilt/mental illness is based on/fueled by (2) a theological perspective of women being the source of evil/sin/etc in our world. I think the director may be trying to show us how effed up this Biblical/Genesis perspective is (from which Western culture is based, being Judeo-Christian). So he just shows us the extremes of a mental illness which is consistent with it.

The point where I get fuzzy is: if the theological perspecitve/GEnesis (that women are the source of sin/evil in the world) is bad, then what is the film saying instead? that we actually live in a God-absent world where everyone is effed, instead of before (with God) where only "bad" humans (that succommed to the female-originated sin) were effed?

I know...need to watch it again.

Everything you said was 100% accurate IMO. Loved the spouse-counselor analysis! Great insight there. Also, regarding her

[Show spoiler]illness/guilt

, its true that she was doing whatever she could to avoid it, like you said.