The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

It DID work for me.

I think you are allowing my rant about her Dad to obscure the rest of my review.

Frankly I was looking forward to being a blubbering mess at the end and more than a little surprised at my own experience. I mean the recipe is certainly my cup of tea, and all the ingredients were there, it just didnt "Hit" me like I had hoped.

I see. Yep it definitely hit me hard. And it's a good film for all ages. My little nieces even cried and now every time they think their life is hard they can think of Hushpuppy. It reminds me of when Grave of the Fireflies made me appreciate every grain of rice on my plate.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Happy Birthday to Hayao Miyazaki (73).

Now go and watch every film he has ever made.

I get the feeling sometimes that his legacy will only be felt once he's gone. It's amazing to think that beyond people like us, his films are relatively unheard of, at least here in the states. At least Ponyo got the Disney push and commercialization, but his films are grander than a brief theater bit. They're the type that find their way into homes and childhoods forever.

I was thinking about it the other day... there is so much diversity among his films. You can tell they are all his, but each story is so different.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I get the feeling sometimes that his legacy will only be felt once he's gone. It's amazing to think that beyond people like us, his films are relatively unheard of, at least here in the states. At least Ponyo got the Disney push and commercialization, but his films are grander than a brief theater bit. They're the type that find their way into homes and childhoods forever.

I was thinking about it the other day... there is so much diversity among his films. You can tell they are all his, but each story is so different.

Yes, more than half of my Top 20 animated are Studio Ghibli. I mention him at every opportunity, and give away DVDs when I upgrade, but too many people have never heard of him.

[dag]

I'll be seeing the newest film from Studio Ghibli, From Up on Poppy Hill, in March, at Toronto's Cinematheque. It's co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his son.

[SpartanX]

Looper- 8.8/10

Great movie. I almost rated this a 9, but in my opinion has a very, very slow start. I thought the beginning was very "meh". But once Young Joe gets to the barn this film just gets really, really good. Definitely the best science fiction film since Inception.

By the way the kid who played Cid creeped me the hell out.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Life of Pi (2012)
Adventure, Drama, 127 minutes
Directed by Ang Lee
Starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, and Ayush Tandon

[Show spoiler]

It's been four years since Slumdog Millionaire took home eight Oscars. I found myself thinking of that movie because Life of Pi opens in India and the cast is predominantly comprised of Indian actors. Like Slumdog Millionaire, the movie uses several actors to portray the main character at different ages. In fact, the older Pi is played by Irrfan Khan, who appears in both movies.

The story is framed with the older Pi relating his story to a writer. We learn that Pi's father owned a zoo, and his mother worked there as a botanist. His father is fond of giving Pi advice, and one memorable lesson involves a demonstration of how dangerous tigers can be, and that they should not be treated like a pet or a friend.

Pi is shown at four different ages, but the bulk of the story shows Pi as a young man, so Suraj Sharma receives the most screen time. Like Cast Away and 127 Hours, the movie relies on one actor holding our attention, and Sharma does a wonderful job of doing just that. It's his first role and he had to show a vast range of emotions in order for everything to work.

The first part of the movie shows Pi's life as a young boy. We see him go to school, and ultimately fall in love. But his life (and the story) is shaken up when his mother and father inform him that they have decided to move the family to Canada. Along with some of the animals, they set sail for their new home. If you have seen the trailer, or even the poster for this movie, it's not a spoiler to reveal that Pi ends up in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. I imagine that's quite a selling point, as a lot of people would wonder how such a relationship could possibly work.

Director Ang Lee overcomes the limitations of such an enclosed setting in several spectacular ways. It's fascinating to see how Pi tries to survive, as well as co-existing with a dangerous carnivore. The visual aspects of the movie are of the highest quality, and I would be shocked if the movie wasn't nominated in several technical categories. The tiger is convincing, but the visual effects also shine when we are shown some of the things that can happen at sea.

I think Life of Pi is a movie that should be experienced without knowing too much of the story beforehand, so I am not going to reveal anything more about the plot. Although I will mention that the ending is open-ended and leaves you guessing about what really happened out on the ocean.

Religion is an ever-present theme. The movie will ask you to think about why the events in our lives happen, and whether they are random or part of God's plan. But more than one religion is mentioned, and it's not done in an overbearing way.

The script is well-written, and is a big reason why the story works. There is quite a bit of humor, but it's smart and feels natural.

I'm not sure how many movies I have seen this year, but this is one of the best. The story feels fresh and unusual, and some of it is profound and moving. I should also say that a few of the animals are hurt or even killed, so be warned if you are sensitive to such things. That said, you would see more brutality on a nature documentary like Planet Earth.

Life of Pi grabbed my attention early and held it for two hours. It's more than special effects, with the screenplay and acting both standing out. I highly recommend it.

Overall score 4.5/5

Excellent review. I agree with it.

[Foggy]

Kill List

This film again, watched it last year, said it was great, said you should all watch it, only Al did. So here I am again and guess what...

It's great, you should all watch it.

Watch it in darkness, watch it at the loudest sensible volume and don't let anything break your concentration on the film. Because this is a film that'll crush you with it's atmosphere. I'm saying David Lynch would wet himself in such conditions with this film.

And I'm still none the wiser as to what the film is actually about.

8.5/10

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by dag

I'll be seeing the newest film from Studio Ghibli, From Up on Poppy Hill, in March, at Toronto's Cinematheque. It's co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his son.

I would love to see that.

[jvince]

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
dir. Guillermo del Toro

The Good: Everything. Never fails to blow me away every single time.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: Pan's Labyrinth is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the greatest fairy tale movies ever made, and that's coming from an unabashed fan of such stories. If you haven't seen it yet, well, get the f*ck onto it right away.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
dir. Guillermo del Toro

The Good: Everything. Never fails to blow me away every single time.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: Pan's Labyrinth is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the greatest fairy tale movies ever made, and that's coming from an unabashed fan of such stories. If you haven't seen it yet, well, get the f*ck onto it right away.

Brought Pan's Labyrinth along with Kill List

All I need is for someone to bring up the 3rd film I brought and we's get the hat trick

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jvince

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
dir. Guillermo del Toro

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Everything. Never fails to blow me away every single time.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: Pan's Labyrinth is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the greatest fairy tale movies ever made, and that's coming from an unabashed fan of such stories.

If you haven't seen it yet, well, get the f*ck onto it right away.

Sir, yes sir!

[Steve46]

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 122 minutes
Directed by David O. Russell
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Chris Tucker

What kind of romantic comedy do you prefer? Classics, such as It Happened One Night, Pretty Woman and Roman Holiday, or something quirky, like Annie Hall or Harold and Maude? Silver Linings Playbook has more drama present than most romantic comedies, but it still belongs in that category. It would also be classified as somewhat quirky.

Mental illness isn't funny, but I don't think that any subject should be off limits when it comes to comedy. The key is doing it with respect and a degree of realism. For example, cancer is one of the most unpleasant things in existence, but 50/50 was a comedy that worked, because the screenplay allowed us to see some of the seriousness of the situation. Silver Linings Playbook follows the same path.

If you have ever seen As Good as It Gets, you might have some idea what to expect from Silver Linings Playbook. Both films feature incredibly good actors, who are capable of mixing drama with comedy. Both include serious scenes that an average actor might struggle with. The two stories revolve around unlikely romances, that shouldn't work, but it feels right when they do.

Jennifer Lawrence has to be one of Hollywood's hottest properties. She received an Oscar nomination for Winter's Bone, and has reached huge audiences by appearing in X-Men: First Class, and The Hunger Games. I'm sure a lot of people saw Silver Linings Playbook just because Lawrence was involved. She's certainly attractive, but she can really act too. This role requires more than just a pretty face, and she pulls it off with apparent ease.

The setting reminds me of Russell's last film, The Fighter; it's gritty and realistic, and full of dramatic scenes. Families often become involved in shouting matches rather than sitting down to have rational conversations. Two actors won Oscars in that film, and I wouldn't be surprised to see another nomination go to Lawrence for her work here.

The story focuses on Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), who we see being released from a mental institution. He is married, and has plans to reconnect with his wife. He is friendly and calm most of the time, but can sometimes snap. One trigger is a song, and sometimes he hears it in his head when it's not even playing. Pat moves in with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert De Niro), and walks into their bedroom at 3am for insignificant reasons. His judgment is not exactly reliable.

Pat's life begins to change when he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who is the sister-in-law of one of his friends. She's direct and irrational at times, and it soon becomes clear that she has problems of her own. The two enter into a sort of alliance and become friends. Tiffany agrees to give a letter to Pat's wife if he'll train with her and enter a dance contest that she wants to be a part of.

De Niro is funny in almost every scene in which he appears. He plays a Philadelphia Eagles fan, and he's convinced that his actions, and the actions of those around him, have an effect on the team's results. One of the best scenes in the film occurs when Tiffany confronts him about his superstitions.

Chris Tucker is also funny in all of his scenes. He was a fellow patient at the mental institution and seems to care about what happens to Pat.

Another huge plus is the soundtrack. Led Zeppelin finally allowed songs to be used in movies and ads, and the placing of What is and what should never be is particularly effective. You'll also hear The White Stripes, Alabama Shakes, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, and the Eagles of Death Metal. It's one of the best soundtracks of 2012.

I won't ruin the outcome, but it's fun to see Pat and Tiffany work through their problems. It's good to see a film avoid the usual romantic comedy formula and come up with some original ideas. Comedy works best when it surprises you, rather than something which tries to make you laugh with every action or line of dialogue. It's well-written and well-acted, with a number of memorable scenes. Catch it while it's still in theaters if you can.

Overall score 4.5/5

[jvince]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Obviously.

My only real complaint is about the Blu-ray and not the movie, but I wish they included more special features. A commentary with Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan should have been a given (the directors included too if they wanted), especially since they are a couple in real life too. In the end, I'll get over it though since the movie is the most important.

Yeah, I hate it when they do that. That's one of the reasons why I love Criterions because they're loaded with special features.

I loved Zoe Kazan's work in that film as an actress and a writer. I'm surprised she isn't in the conversation for awards.

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

While not quite on the same level of course, I guess Enchanted is to you what 500 Days of Summer is to Bearcat.

I need to watch my copy again sometime soon. I remember reading one of the Blu-ray reviews for this and them mentioning about a lack of replay value. Sure, whatever...

I do too obviously. I had to watch more of her movies after watching this.

I watched (500) Days a lot too.

I don't know why. I don't even consider Enchanted a favorite of mine, but whenever I catch it on TV, I always get sucked in.

Originally Posted by Steve46

I'm sure Criterion will eventually release Dekalog, so I'll pick it up then. I've seen two Resnais films and can't stand his style.

I hope so. That would be so awesome if they do release it.

Which films of his did you see?

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I've also now seen 99 films in the cinema. Just...one...more to break 100...

I've probably gone to the theaters in as many times over the last couple of years.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I've been eyeballing Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters as my next big one.

I've been offered screenings for this several times since 2011, but I never went. It must be some really hot garbage.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Funny thing is all of those directors have shot on digital. Seems a bit biased.

Yeah, it is a bit biased, but not overtly.

And regarding the poster, I find it odd that George Lucas and Christopher Nolan's names aren't on it since they're the ones that are in the film the most (along with Cameron).

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm really glad I saw it.

Won't say much more than was already said here. It's a fascinating and touching story about a very simple-minded individual. Everybody that has access to this should watch it.

Glad you liked it. I was completely captivated by his story. And that song of his, "Sugar Man" has been stuck in my head. I've been even playing it on my guitar non-stop.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I see. Yep it definitely hit me hard. And it's a good film for all ages. My little nieces even cried and now every time they think their life is hard they can think of Hushpuppy. It reminds me of when Grave of the Fireflies made me appreciate every grain of rice on my plate.

There were only two times when I felt something like that. First was when I saw 127 Hours. I felt thirsty after watching it and it made appreciate water a whole lot more. The other time was when I saw this obscure South Korean film, Castaway on the Moon (google it and try to check it out if you can).

Originally Posted by Foggy

Kill List

This film again, watched it last year, said it was great, said you should all watch it, only Al did. So here I am again and guess what...

It's great, you should all watch it.

Watch it in darkness, watch it at the loudest sensible volume and don't let anything break your concentration on the film. Because this is a film that'll crush you with it's atmosphere. I'm saying David Lynch would wet himself in such conditions with this film.

And I'm still none the wiser as to what the film is actually about.

8.5/10

Okay, fine... I'll try to check it out before the top 20 deadline.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by jvince

I hope so. That would be so awesome if they do release it.

Which films of his did you see?

Last Year at Marienbad and Hiroshima, mon amour.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Brought Pan's Labyrinth along with Kill List

All I need is for someone to bring up the 3rd film I brought and we's get the hat trick

Hmm... Let's see... Might it be... True Romance?

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Sir, yes sir!

Wha......?? Go! Now!

Originally Posted by Steve46

Last Year at Marienbad and Hiroshima, mon amour.

Yeah, those two are kinda similar, although I also didn't like Hiroshima the one time I saw it. I suggest Night and Fog. It's a straight documentary without his style. Also try to check out Mon Oncle d'Amérique.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

Hmm... Let's see... Might it be... True Romance:

Also, Night and Fog is but it's also on Youtube

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jvince

Yeah, I hate it when they do that. That's one of the reasons why I love Criterions because they're loaded with special features.

I loved Zoe Kazan's work in that film as an actress and a writer. I'm surprised she isn't in the conversation for awards.

Yeah, they usually are. There are exceptions (Charade and Something Wild), but far less than regular studio releases. Although even those two examples' special features are of better quality, even if they have very little overall. I understand this was a small indie film that didn't even do much in it's limited release, but more effort than the little bit we got would have been nice.

So did I, but given what I just said about it being a small indie film that didn't even get that much attention, her not being mentioned for any major awards isn't surprising. I would say the script deserved it at least, but oh well.

I watched (500) Days a lot too.

I don't know why. I don't even consider Enchanted a favorite of mine, but whenever I catch it on TV, I always get sucked in.

Still, I doubt you've seen it quite as much as Bearcat.

It's just a fun and fairly light movie for the most part, so I can see it being easy to just leave it on and watch it again and again.

Wha......?? Go! Now!

I will. I've been meaning to for quite a while now, but I keep forgetting about it with the constant stream of movies that come into my collection.

[Al_The_Strange]

Cast Away

This movie starts off a little dry (and ultimately ends a little dry) as it follows the main character around the world on these time-crunching Fedex deliveries, all caught up in a modern world of conveniences and expediency. Then, BAM! Dude winds up on a tropic island in the middle of nowhere, all alone, with all the time in the world and absolutely no modern conveniences. Sure, we've all seen survivalist stories before, but something about Cast Away feels fresh and rewarding. It focuses so much on very simple things (finding food, shelter, how to make fire, etc) and turns it all into harrowing struggles. You can really feel the pain and suffering the character endures, and it makes all the minor victories all the more pleasing (and sometimes funny). Obviously, I've found the actual island scenes the best and most entertaining, but the film suffers some drag in the beginning and ending.

Despite all its simplicity, the story is well-told and carries a surprising amount of weight. It excels with its pathos, since the main character's pain, longing, and lonliness are so apparent that we can really feel it and relate to him. It gives the story a good emotional oomph, and it digs up some integral themes regarding life, time, survival, and endurance (and possibly faith).

The film is competently-made, with some gorgeous tropical locales and quality photography. It's especially interesting that so much of the film is digitally enhanced or altered, but rarely feels fake. Acting and writing are excellent; Tom Hanks is the man. This production makes ample use of its given sets, props, costumes, and special effects. Music is minimal, but effective.

4/5 (Entertainment: Pretty Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Good)

Recommendation: Yep.

This Blu-Ray will have an abundance of grain and noise, and some softness in certain scenes, but it is sharp and has a number of great-looking shots. It's a good transfer, but probably could be better. Sound quality is great though.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4.5/5

[jvince]

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
dir. Kathryn Bigelow

The Good: Great performances from Jessica Chastain and company. Intense. A little bit on the talky side, but the dialogue is well-written and well-delivered. The second half with the Navy SEALs, which was shot documentary-style with night vision, is pretty cool. It's a joy to watch Chastain's character evolve into a hard-ass. "I'm the motherf*cker that found this place, sir."

The Bad: Seems like it's missing some crucial parts, like why did they decide to go through with the raid out of the blue? I could see some viewers getting distracted by whether it's accurate or not, since most of it (especially the raid) is quite suspect. Hollywoodized Oscar bait.

The Bottom Line: Is Zero Dark Thirty the best film of 2012? Not really. What it is is a solid and entertaining action-thriller showcasing some adept acting and writing.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Haha... I cheated.