The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I literally busted out laughing as soon as I saw that

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Platoon

First time watch and I feel as if I will have to watch it again because I feel as if I'm missing something.

I was struggling to connect with this movie, I couldn't get into it until a good way though it, it just goes straight in without anything and then jumps straight out after it finishes. I just can't really explain what I thought off it, I thought it was good, but there was nothing there to make me see it's praise. The acting was good but nothing special. It's story isn't really the main focus, but then the film just feels like it's roaming free, and your just watching odd events tied loosely together. The war scenes where not very affective as they don't immerse you in to the fights, you don't really care for most the characters.

I will say though, that the final message in the film is powerful, showing that wars biggest weapon is ourselves, once war gets around you and affects you, it'll turn you into a manic monster, or break the foundations of the emotional structure of a person into rubble. It's a powerful message that is well presented in the actions of the movie, but the movie never captivated me enough for it to become a lasting impression.

Like I said, I may need repeat viewing to warm to this one...

8/10

I was going to watch Apocalypse Now, but it's too late now, so I'll save that one for another day!

Def a great film, would love to have it on blu. No idea how you thought the acting was "nothing special" though. Sheen, Berenger, and especially Mr. Willem were amazing.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Diesel

They have quick editing for sure, but they weren't shaky cam. If you eye can keep up with the quick cuts, the images were quite clear as to exactly what was going on on screen and not jumping all around like a monkey was filming the scenes like some movies look.



The fight against the necromongers on the way to the ship was one of my favorite parts of the film, I thought the fight scenes overall were all done quite well actually and liked the way they were edited

Difference of preference on that part though I suppose.

I could not disagree more with that statement, but it's all good

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I literally busted out laughing as soon as I saw that

Haha thought you'd like that!

[RampageIceman]

arsenic and old lace... mediocre... there were a few giggles for me but mostly just a disappointment from one of my favorite classic directors

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I could not disagree more with that statement, but it's all good

Indeed.

I liked it, you didn't; that's all there is to it

This is a perfect example of people disagreeing....but not bickering about said disagreement

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Haha thought you'd like that!

I saved it just in case I need to use it one day

[tbizzle]

Galaxy Quest - 5/5

Man this movie is hilarious! I saw it when I was a lot younger and thought it was ok, but wow was I surprised this time. It's a very well done movie with a great cast! Everyone was really funny, especially Sam Rockwell! I looked up the director on IMDB and was surprised that the only film he's done since this was Fun With Dick and Jane, which was pretty good as well. Anyways, I highly recommend it!

Couple of notes though. There was a part that I remember from the trailer (I know, good memory ) where Tim Allen was speaking to Serras, the evil general, and he's saying "this was all a big misunder" and then the general palms his face and Tim says a muffed "standing!" I didn't realized that line wasn't in the movie until it was over. I hate when they do that!

And in the beginning, the black guys says "this is a bunch of sh!t man" or something along those lines, but you can clearly see that they've dubbed over his voice and he says something else.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Indeed.

I liked it, you didn't; that's all there is to it

This is a perfect example of people disagreeing....but not bickering about said disagreement




I saved it just in case I need to use it one day

Just to make you angry, though

[Show spoiler]

"Chronicles" doesn't pause for much character development, and is in such a hurry that even the fight scenes are abbreviated chop-chop sessions. There are a lot of violent fight scenes (the movie is made of them, which explains the PG-13 rating), but never do we get a clear idea of the spatial locations of the characters or their complete physical movements. Twohy breaks the fights down into disconnected flashes of extreme action in closeup, just as a comic book would, and maybe this is a style. It's certainly no more boring than most conventional CGI fight scenes."


Source---Roger Ebert


_________________________


Note: I actually thought Chronicles of Riddick was a halfway decent film (it's not Pitch Black though). So, my critique is nothing more than that--something I just didn't like--because without it I think the film would've been better.

How is Pitch Black on blu btw? I want to pick it up at some point.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Indeed.

I liked it, you didn't; that's all there is to it

This is a perfect example of people disagreeing....but not bickering about said disagreement

Exactly, agree to disagree. We need more of this from some of our members in here

I saved it just in case I need to use it one day

Haha that's what I did when I saw it

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Galaxy Quest - 5/5

Man this movie is hilarious! I saw it when I was a lot younger and thought it was ok, but wow was I surprised this time. It's a very well done movie with a great cast! Everyone was really funny, especially Sam Rockwell! I looked up the director on IMDB and was surprised that the only film he's done since this was Fun With Dick and Jane, which was pretty good as well. Anyways, I highly recommend it!

Couple of notes though. There was a part that I remember from the trailer (I know, good memory ) where Tim Allen was speaking to Serras, the evil general, and he's saying "this was all a big misunder" and then the general palms his face and Tim says a muffed "standing!" I didn't realized that line wasn't in the movie until it was over. I hate when they do that!

And in the beginning, the black guys says "this is a bunch of sh!t man" or something along those lines, but you can clearly see that they've dubbed over his voice and he says something else.

I remember an old roommate of mine left this movie behind a few years back--I had (and have not) ever seen it. Looking at the goofy cover and cast I threw it out. Then I find out it's supposed to be really funny! I lose....

[tbizzle]

Speaking of close up action stuff, Prince of Persia was horrible in that regard. I couldn't re-enact a single fight scene in that movie if I tried

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Speaking of close up action stuff, Prince of Persia was horrible in that regard. I couldn't re-enact a single fight scene in that movie if I tried

I'd like to see you try moving like that mythological warrior known as Donnie Darko

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I remember an old roommate of mine left this movie behind a few years back--I had (and have not) ever seen it. Looking at the goofy cover and cast I threw it out. Then I find out it's supposed to be really funny! I lose....

I loved it, you definitely need to see this someday. I'll be pickin it up soon

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'd like to see you try moving like that mythological warrior known as Donnie Darko

It was really hard to see any actual moves. Example, you see a flurry of swords, and then Jake walks away to fight another guy. Heh, it's just hard to see what's going on. We all know certain Van Damme or Arnold fight scenes from back in the day, even stuff from the Bourne movies. But this was bad, because sometimes you couldn't even see the "moves", it was more like a blur of fists and swords

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Just to make you angry, though

[Show spoiler]

"Chronicles" doesn't pause for much character development, and is in such a hurry that even the fight scenes are abbreviated chop-chop sessions. There are a lot of violent fight scenes (the movie is made of them, which explains the PG-13 rating), but never do we get a clear idea of the spatial locations of the characters or their complete physical movements. Twohy breaks the fights down into disconnected flashes of extreme action in closeup, just as a comic book would, and maybe this is a style. It's certainly no more boring than most conventional CGI fight scenes."


Source---Roger Ebert

[Show spoiler]I made sure to use the angry smiley and not the mad smiley since you said you wanted to make me "angry"

_________________________


Note: I actually thought Chronicles of Riddick was a halfway decent film (it's not Pitch Black though). So, my critique is nothing more than that--something I just didn't like--because without it I think the film would've been better.

How is Pitch Black on blu btw? I want to pick it up at some point.

I never bought Pitch Black on blu

I really like the movie a lot, but I'm a rather conservative purchaser (compared to some people around here at least with hundreds and hundreds of movies) and only buy movies I feel I will watch often enough. And Pitch Black just isn't one of those (I've only seen it 3 or 4 times actually).

It did get a really good review here though, I think something like a 4.5 for PQ and AQ.

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Exactly, agree to disagree. We need more of this from some of our members in here

If only...

Haha that's what I did when I saw it

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]I made sure to use the angry smiley and not the mad smiley since you said you wanted to make me "angry"

I never bought Pitch Black on blu

I really like the movie a lot, but I'm a rather conservative purchaser (compared to some people around here at least with hundreds and hundreds of movies) and only buy movies I feel I will watch often enough. And Pitch Black just isn't one of those (I've only seen it 3 or 4 times actually).

It did get a really good review here though, I think something like a 4.5 for PQ and AQ.




If only...

Conservative purchaser and you don't honor your avatar? Looooooseeeeeeerrrrrrr

In regards to quick cuts for fight scenes (my last comment): I think my main problem is that the films I really grew up on were Jackie Chan films, which I watched all the time with my grandpa. Those films, as well as most martial arts films, took great pride in the fight choreography, and as such, all the moves were shown so that you could see everything going on. I admit it's not a very apt comparison to Chronicles, as that's a much different fight style/scene(s).

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

In regards to quick cuts for fight scenes (my last comment): I think my main problem is that the films I really grew up on were Jackie Chan films, which I watched all the time with my grandpa. Those films, as well as most martial arts films, took great pride in the fight choreography, and as such, all the moves were shown so that you could see everything going on. I admit it's not a very apt comparison to Chronicles, as that's a much different fight style/scene(s).

That's my gripe as well. I like the close up stuff to an extent, but it seems as though most action films nowadays are adopting it. Bring back great choreography, and film it in a style that allows us to see it!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Conservative purchaser and you don't honor your avatar? Looooooseeeeeeerrrrrrr

I have it on HD-DVR, so Vin Diesel would only be mildly angered and not furious (see what I did there?) with me

In regards to quick cuts for fight scenes (my last comment): I think my main problem is that the films I really grew up on were Jackie Chan films, which I watched all the time with my grandpa. Those films, as well as most martial arts films, took great pride in the fight choreography, and as such, all the moves were shown so that you could see everything going on. I admit it's not a very apt comparison to Chronicles, as that's a much different fight style/scene(s).

I get where you're coming from.

Even though I liked the fight scenes and didn't have any problems with they way they were done, having the camera pulled back a little and the editing slowed down wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing; we'd be able to see more Diesel *** kicking, which is always a good thing for me

But of course, I like Michael Bay movies, so its pretty obvious that quick edits don't usually bother me

Quick edits, slow edits, continuous shots, close up shots, far shots; I don't really have a preference that holds for every movie, if I like what I see in the context of a particular movie (and can understand what is happening) then it works for me


Some fight editing that always bugs me though, that is always the first to come to mind when I think of this subject, is Batman Begins.

In that first fight early in the film particularly, it is nearly impossible to tell what the hell is going on. When Wayne and Ducard each say there were 6 and 7 men Wayne fought....I honestly don't know how many it was.

[AKORIS]

I really like the movie a lot, but I'm a rather conservative purchaser (compared to some people around here at least with hundreds and hundreds of movies) and only buy movies I feel I will watch often enough. And Pitch Black just isn't one of those (I've only seen it 3 or 4 times actually).



whaatttt????


btw-- PITCH BLACK looks great on blu-ray

[rkolinski]

Solomon Kane BD (UK Region B)

I will post more thoughts on this film later but my initial impression is this is a thinking mans (or persons) sword and sorcerer film; much better than Conan the Barbarian and Van Helsing stole a lot from this story, without giving the original author proper acknowledgment. Basically, you have a really bad and violent man who is redeemed and then becomes violent for the sake of the Puritan Religion. However, there are some really complex religious themes and messages in this film. I guess that is why I think this is one of the best blind purchases I have made this year. Highly recommended.

Movie: 4/5 PQ: 4/5 AQ: 4/5 SUPPLEMENTS: 4/5 OVERALL: 4/5