The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Jim Carrey's Black Swan SNL skit

[Show spoiler]Brings back Ace Ventura tutu memories.

Lame question DJ, are there spoilers in that vid? I havent seen the film yet.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Lame question DJ, are there spoilers in that vid? I havent seen the film yet.

Nope. But it parodies some aspects of the film, like the fact that it is an overtly thematically driven film.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Psycho

Rating - 1/5

Originally Posted by Diesel

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Rating - 3/5

[Show spoiler]

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]I was expecting a NSE picture

[Monkey_Boy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Did you enjoy Intolerable Cruelty? The courtroom scenes killled me.

Not really into romantic comedies (that's how this one struck me), but I suppose it'll give me sumpthin' to watch with the wife.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Resident Evil: Afterlife.”

The first three “Resident Evil” films have provided quite an entertaining thrill ride, and would have been an adequately complete saga in itself. But this fourth film continues the franchise pretty well, adhering to the previous films while driving the story/characters forward and throwing in huge helpings of action and style.

[Show spoiler]From the start, the film features loads of high-flying stunts, bombastic shoot-outs, high-octane explosions, crazy swordfighting, and incredible vehicular mayhem. All with glorious bursts of slow-motion photography, topped only by the opening scene of “Antichrist” (or more appropriately, “The Matrix” ). And there are plenty of impressive special effects. This is easily the most entertaining RE film since “RE: Apocalypse.” But, at times it does feel like too much of a gimmick, using the action and slow-mo photography to showcase the 3-D craze. Regardless, it is great fun to watch (and it probably is impressive in 3-D).

Of course, bigger may not always be better. This film is loaded with stuff that’s very absurd and unbelievable, and probably will be too insipid for some folks. But I think most of it rocks.

As far as the story goes…well, let’s face it, RE has never had much brilliance in its storytelling prowess. It is a good continuation in my opinion, as it carries over elements of the last film (including the presence of the Alice clones, surprisingly; it’s something I always thought was a little too absurd, but they closed off this subplot pretty well) while setting up for this one. Truth be told though, it feels a lot like a video game in itself (some games start off letting you play with full upgrades and powers, then strips it all away and makes you play from the start. Guess what? This movie does the same thing to the main character!). Aside from that little quibble, the story is fairly interesting, but I feel the characters are very lacking.

As an adaptation of the video game…I really can’t say for sure since RE5 is the only one I’ve ever played. But yes, elements of #5 do appear in “RE: Afterlife,” and it is pretty cool seeing Wesker in action, zombies with splitting jaws (kinda like “Blade 2” actually), and one badass zombie with a massive axe. Ah yeah…

Cinematically, the photography is very slick and stylish, and is a pleasure to watch. Acting is okay for what this movie is supposed to be. Writing is so-so at best. Production value seems quite high (maybe too high; some sets, props, costumes, etc look so slick and polished that they are probably too out-of-place in a post-apocalypse setting, and some of them do look a little fake). Music totally rocks.

It’s interesting seeing Paul WS Anderson returning to the helm on this one. I believe he brought back a few important elements to this franchise that he previously established in the first film and were lost in the sequels in between; it’s like he’s realigning the series. Moreover, in the ten years between the first RE and this one, his style has improved at least aesthetically.

By the end of the movie, it’s pretty clear they’re gearing up for another sequel. What’s next, “RE: Oblivion?” Whatever it’ll be, it probably will kick butt!

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

This Blu-Ray is great. Picture quality looks darn near perfect; it is sharp and clean with plenty of detail. Colors are a bit dull, but I think its part of the film’s style. Contrast is not bad. Sound quality seems really good to me.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

This UK Steelbook edition is region-free.

Whaaattt? I thought this installment was awful. How did it move the story forward at all? The story was boring... I went to see zombies, not explosions. The 3D was terrible. The slow-motion was dumb. The acting was uninspired. Wesker was barely in it. Jill practically wasn't in it even though it was marketed as so.

[Show spoiler]But to each their own

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It doesn't bother me, I was just stating my observation. The same thing went for TDK. I thought both films were good but certainly not great.

K. Btw, I plan on revisiting The Lives of Others soon. It's been a few years so I'm curious to see if I'll gain a new appreciation for it.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

Not really into romantic comedies (that's how this one struck me), but I suppose it'll give me sumpthin' to watch with the wife.

Its FAR from a romantic comedy. It bleeds Coen sarcasm.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]I was expecting a NSE picture

[Show spoiler]

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

I am going to attempt to watch Nine shortly. We'll see how that goes.

I don't have a SquidPuppet approved history with movies with that title

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]

I am going to attempt to watch Nine shortly. We'll see how that goes.

I don't have a SquidPuppet approved history with movies with that title

If you take it on its own and not as a remake, you will probably enjoy it much more (if you've seen 8 1/2). I know I did.

Speaking of movies with that title, have you seen The Nines? Heard it was good.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]

I am going to attempt to watch Nine shortly. We'll see how that goes.

I don't have a SquidPuppet approved history with movies with that title

I like the entire cast, but there is dancing

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I like the entire cast, but there is dancing

Don't you know,

[Show spoiler]if your friends don't dance and if they don't dance
Well they're no friends of mine

[BladeRunner2007]

The Mother of Tears 2.5/5

Definitely not Argento's best, but also not his worst movie. And damn, Asia Argento is HOT!!! But she can't act for sh!t

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Don't you know,

[Show spoiler]if your friends don't dance and if they don't dance
Well they're no friends of mine

Dang it, I cant remember who did that song. Who???

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Dang it, I cant remember who did that song. Who???

[Show spoiler]Men Without Hats

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

[Show spoiler]Men Without Hats

Thanks....it was driving me nuts!!!!!!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Whaaattt? I thought this installment was awful. How did it move the story forward at all? The story was boring... I went to see zombies, not explosions. The 3D was terrible. The slow-motion was dumb. The acting was uninspired. Wesker was barely in it. Jill practically wasn't in it even though it was marketed as so.

[Show spoiler]But to each their own

I'm having serious doubts in retrospect...

Yeah, 4/5 might be a bit generous for this film, but it did genuinely entertain me.

What I should say is that the bridge between this film and the last was agreeable, story-wise. Afterward, I thought it resembled "Land of the Dead" for a while. Characters really aren't that great (I didn't realize Chris was in it until the end and I hate the way Wesker smirks all the time ). I thought Milla showed the best acting (maybe that doesn't say much).

I almost gave this a 3.5/5, and I might after repeat viewings. You never know.

Same thing happened with the "Clash of the Titans" remake. Gave it a 4/5 off the bat, then started thinking "maybe this is more of a 3/5 movie..." (but after a recent repeat viewing, I'm sticking with 4/5 on this one ).

[Foggy]

I watched half of A Hard Day's Night today, I think it fairly bad, but too all who have seen it, or know a lot about The Beatles, why do they have teleportations powers?

[BladeRunner2007]

RE: Afterlife has a very weak plot and flat characters but a lof of great action scenes and an amazing soundtrack. And Milla is always a BIG PLUS 3.5/5 from me