The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

The Woman in the Window (1944) DVD

Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett are the leads in this Fritz Lang directed thriller. The two are accidently guilty of participating in a crime. They choose to attempt to hide their involvement, but as neither are professional criminals, things become pretty sticky. Thow in a third party who is aware of the crime and is attempting to blackmail the couple, and it gets even stickier. Oh, and Robinsons character happens to be very close friends with the District Attorney who feeds Robinson info about the development of the ongoing search for the criminals, not knowing its Robinson they are seaching for.

Lots of old fashioned cat and mouse fun to be had. I loved the ending, but assume that some will hate it.

4/5

pretty good PQ and AQ for a DVD.

[ajvdbg]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 4.5/5
Classic Sergio Leone

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

Taking Chance

Missed the first 30 minutes of the film on HBO, but it was a movie I knew little about but wanted to see. This is an HBO production. It's riveting.

The official synopsis:

In April 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, USMC, came across the name of 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, a young Marine who had been killed by hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Strobl, a Desert Storm veteran, requested that he be assigned for military escort duty to accompany Chance's remains to his family in Dubois, Wyo.

Witnessing the spontaneous outpouring of support and respect for the fallen Marine- from the groundskeepers he passed along the road to the cargo handlers at the airport - Strobl was moved to capture the experience in his personal journal. His first-person account, which began as an official trip report, gives an insight into the military's policy of providing a uniformed escort for all casualties. The story became an Internet phenomenon when it was widely circulated throughout the military community and eventually reached the mainstream media.

Taking Chance chronicles one of the silent, virtually unseen journeys that takes place every day across the country, bearing witness to the fallen and all of those who, literally and figuratively, carry them home. A uniquely non-political film about the war in Iraq, the film pays tribute to all of the men and women who have given their lives in the military service as well as their families.

An HBO Films presentation of a Motion Picture Corporation of America and Civil Dawn Pictures production, Taking Chance marks the directorial debut of two time Oscar nominated producer Ross Katz (Lost in Translation). The screenplay is by Lt. Col Micheal R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.) and Ross Katz, based on the journal of the same name by Strobl, who also serves as a military consultant. Strobl, who recently retired after serving 24 years in the US Marine Corps, developed the original story with the strong support of Phelp's parents, John Phelps and Gretchen Mack.

What a great movie to watch for Memorial Day.

This film is heart wrenching. As it tugs on the heart strings, it fills you with hope and pride. I highly recommend this film. 5/5

Thanks for the recommendation Greenscar. I watched this yesterday and boy was it touching. And it didnt let up.

then then then then repeat, repeat, repeat.

I really liked it a lot.

4/5

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I would really like to discuss Triangle with you some day, should you choose to give it a try.

I'll be replying to your post about it when I get home later today. I think you raised an interesting point worth discussing.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'll be replying to your post about it when I get home later today. I think you raised an interesting point worth discussing.

Looking forward to it.

[Jezza]

I bought the original, 1969 version of The Italian Job today in HMV, and was utterly astonished by the PQ. It really is a classic film and Michael Caine is superb. (I can't stand the remake.)

Movie: 5/5

PQ: 5/5

SQ: 4/5

"You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

[BladeRunner2007]

The Runaways

I never thought I'd say this but Kristen Stewart was the sh!t in this movie. She and Dakota gave unbelievable good performances. Their screen presence is incredible. They both have great singing voices as well. Michael Shannon was great, too. The filmmakers really kept the mood and spirit of the '70s (which I love). From colors to clothes to hairstyles, they got it all right. This movie portrayed real Rock 'n' Roll. Also all the other actors did a good and convincing job. The soundtrack was extremely good. Very well chosen songs. Another great thing was the oustanding and very beautiful cinematography. The look of the movie is just breathtaking (they shot it on 16mm). I loved this movie from beginning to end. The entire 106 minutes went by so fast, it's unbelievable. The Runaways is IMO without a doubt the best movie of 2010 (so far). I can't wait to add this movie to my collection!

5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

The Runaways

I never thought I'd say this but Kristen Stewart was the sh!t in this movie. She and Dakota gave unbelievable good performances. Their screen presence is incredible. They both have great singing voices as well. The filmmakers really kept the mood and spirit of the '70s (which I love). From colors to clothes to hairstyles, they got it all right. This movie portrayed real Rock 'n' Roll. Also all the other actors did a good and convincing job. The soundtrack was extremely good. Very well chosen songs. Another great thing was the oustanding and very beautiful cinematography. The look of the movie is just breathtaking (they shot it on 16mm). I loved this movie from beginning to end. The entire 106 minutes went buy so fast, it's unbelievable. The Runaways is IMO without a doubt the best movie of 2010 (so far). I can't wait to add this movie to my collection!

5/5

Wow. I gotta check it out.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Yeah, I think you'll like it. It's in the same arena as Memento, Shutter Island, etc., (i.e., where the viewer attempts to decipher subjective reality of the character v. objective reality). Obviously, it requires more mental gymnastics than most films, but with a huge payoff (i.e., I put in 10, I get back 100...with a Michael Bay film: I put in 1, I might get back 1 ) I'd rather put in 10 times the work, and get back 100 times the enjoyment! Not for everyone, but for those of us willing to do the work
(and it was already done for us!! so no excuses! thanks Isaachaze and Steve46!)

Now it's number 8 on my Netflix queue. But I might put it on top of the LoveFilm queue, if I can get around to watching those (I might actually cancel Netflix and stick with LoveFilm, which ships quicker to me).

I never thought of films in the terms "mental gymnastics;" it makes sense. I did find that putting mental effort into some films have paid off tremendously ("The Seventh Seal" was like that; put no effort in the first time and hated it, but the second time was awesome). It's probably also the reason why I couldn't get into "Following;" didn't put in enough effort (it's not on my re-watch list).

I'll have to make sure to watch "Mulholland Dr" when I'm good and ready to pay attention and think (as I did with the "Bicycle Thieves," and I'm planning to do with "Out of the Past" soon).

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Since you are Captain Themeseeker, You should be all over Lynchs films, because, well.....thats all they are. Deep, dark, twisted, moody themes. With Lynch the story is just a prop to deliver the themes. You will be in heaven.

Do I detect another Hitchcock scolding? Hey, I'm just glad I can come on here and find out about all these great movies and directors. Good thing you made me watch all those Hitchcock films, now I will have to seek out the other Lynch films!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I'll have to make sure to watch "Mulholland Dr" when I'm good and ready to pay attention and think (as I did with the "Bicycle Thieves," and I'm planning to do with "Out of the Past" soon).

and the cool part is: just watching it and sitting through it attentively is the mental effort. then, log on and read the explanations linked in the previous posts and you'll be like me and say out loud on your couch as you're reading the explanations "HOLY SHI$$$$$!!!!!!!" Oftentimes, my reaction to a written review/explanation surpasses my reaction to the raw film, particularly one where I need a little help

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

and the cool part is: just watching it and sitting through it attentively is the mental effort. then, log on and read the explanations linked in the previous posts and you'll be like me and say out loud on your couch as you're reading the explanations "HOLY SHI$$$$$!!!!!!!" Oftentimes, my reaction to a written review/explanation surpasses my reaction to the raw film, particularly one where I need a little help

Yep, that's happened to me before too. Can't remember which films specifically, but I know exactly what you mean (and you guys might have even helped me understand some of 'em. Thanks! ).

I just noticed your signature, and I think it's perfectly fitting. I've come to start thinking that there are no such thing as good or bad films, just different viewpoints on them.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

The Runaways

I never thought I'd say this but Kristen Stewart was the sh!t in this movie. She and Dakota gave unbelievable good performances. Their screen presence is incredible. They both have great singing voices as well. The filmmakers really kept the mood and spirit of the '70s (which I love). From colors to clothes to hairstyles, they got it all right. This movie portrayed real Rock 'n' Roll. Also all the other actors did a good and convincing job. The soundtrack was extremely good. Very well chosen songs. Another great thing was the oustanding and very beautiful cinematography. The look of the movie is just breathtaking (they shot it on 16mm). I loved this movie from beginning to end. The entire 106 minutes went by so fast, it's unbelievable. The Runaways is IMO without a doubt the best movie of 2010 (so far). I can't wait to add this movie to my collection!

5/5

I'm writing up my review of it tonight too!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Do I detect another Hitchcock scolding? Hey, I'm just glad I can come on here and find out about all these great movies and directors. Good thing you made me watch all those Hitchcock films, now I will have to seek out the other Lynch films!

If you want mental gymnastics, go for Lost Highway.

If you want to experience go for Blue Velvet.

If you want 3 hours of Go for Inland Empire.

If you want to be utterly and absolutely Go for Eraserhead.

If you want a traditionally made, and beautifully heartbreaking film, go for The Elephant man.

[Glassroots]

Shutter Island: PQ 5/5 AQ 5/5

-Movie is layed out with lots of blacks to give the film a dark, eerie feeling. If you like movies where you have to think and discover the subtle hints to figure out the premise than this is the movie for you.

Leo was great once again in this one and Scorsese configured a masterpeice with lots of twists and turns.
It's a psychological thriller so be ready to think throughout this one.

Overall: 9/10

[SquidPuppet]

Imagine the creepiest audio effects combined with NO dialogue and a camera that never moves while viewing this

[Show spoiler]

and you have the tip of the iceberg of Inland Empire.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by gamma626

I'm writing up my review of it tonight too!

Both of you getting to see The Runaways already. Bastards! Actually, I'm just happy to hear such good praise for the movie. Only a little under a month and a half before I get to see it on Blu-ray.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Both of you getting to see The Runaways already. Bastards! Actually, I'm just happy to hear such good praise for the movie. Only a little under a month and a half before I get to see it on Blu-ray.

The distribution for this movie really sucks. It should have been released worldwide in many theaters, but they screwed it up So, whenever you get the chance to see it, DO IT!

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

The distribution for this movie really sucks. It should have been released worldwide in many theaters, but they screwed it up So, whenever you get the chance to see it, DO IT!

I know. I wasn't actually mad. I just had to say something though. I would have probably waited until it came out on Blu-ray anyways unless it came to the dollar theater here, but I already have it pre-ordered along with The Losers since it is priced good, so no worries about me seeing The Runaways.

[Gamma_Winstead]

I just pre-ordered it too. First film I've ever pre-ordered more than a month in advance!