The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[LordoftheRings]

Film: 4/5
Picture: 4/5
Sound: 3.75/5
Extras: 3/5
Overall: 4/5

* Last comment: A captivating ride into the world of international espionage, and well acted by Leo and Russell within Ridley's direction. ...Some fantastic action scenes too, with some neat camera's angles. ...Very well executed overall by true pros.

[Riff Magnum]

Um, this movie is pretty much perfect so i give it four stars. I have to go to bed now, but i'm sure i'll have time to discuss it with Jhiggy and other fans later.

For all the people unsure because it's foreign, it lacks lossless, it doesn't come on a BD50 (), it wasn't released by a big name studio, etc. or whatever the hangups on this movie are: just go for it. The technical presentation is solid as well. I thought the dolby digital sounded great.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Film: 4/5
Picture: 4/5
Sound: 3.75/5
Extras: 3/5
Overall: 4/5

* Last comment: A captivating ride into the world of international espionage, and well acted by Leo and Russell within Ridley's direction. ...Some fantastic action scenes too, with some neat camera's angles. ...Very well executed overall by true pros.

I gave this film 3 stars (out of 4). I have to admit I was underwhelmed by it, based on the cast and director.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Um, this movie is pretty much perfect so i give it four stars. I have to go to bed now, but i'm sure i'll have time to discuss it with Jhiggy and other fans later.

For all the people unsure because it's foreign, it lacks lossless, it doesn't come on a BD50 (), it wasn't released by a big name studio, etc. or whatever the hangups on this movie are: just go for it. The technical presentation is solid as well. I thought the dolby digital sounded great.

Do I have to keep pleading my case about how good this film is??? Every single person on this website that's seen it so far, and almost every single critic, has given it a rave review--there's a reason for that! I'm not pleased that my pre-order is delayed

To think that as good as the film is, the book is still that much better and the second book is that much better than the first. Mind boggling.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

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

this is the funniest thing i read today. by far!

[jhiggy23]

The Return (Vozvrashcheniye--Russian title) (netflix instant) (2003 film)


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


Rottentomatoes: 96%

Ebert: This is puzzling. His review shows as fresh on RT, and his review clearly indicates a very high rating, yet it shows up at 2 1/2 stars on his website. To me, it seems to be an obvious error and that he instead gave the film 3 1/2 stars. 2 1/2 stars would not show up as a fresh review on RT. Definitely an error, so heed his review, not his star rating.



This Russian film was nominated for a Golden Globe for best foreign film, and won the Golden Lion (best picture) at the Venice Film Festival. It's plot is simple: the father of two boys returns home after 12 years and tells them he's taking them fishing. Why has he returned home after so long? Is he really taking them fishing? There are many questions in the film, and the ending does not answer these questions. DO NOT READ EBERT'S REVIEW--it contains a major spoiler, and it baffles me that he included it in his review.

The directing and cinematography are excellent in this film. The actor who played the father was fantastic, turning in one of the most interesting but aloof characters in recent memory; this is a character we know nothing about, but he has such an aura on screen that you have no idea what to think about him.

This is a film FULL of themes; everything from religious references, to what it's like to be a child, to what it means to obey (this could lead to great discussion, especially as it relates to childhood and the opening scene). You never see the end coming, the way it does, and it's haunting. I really implore you to see this film because the ending and the themes are incredibly interesting and I think it could breed some amazing discussion. Please see this film so I can discuss it!

Here's my take on the major unanswered question:

[Show spoiler]I think the father escaped from prison and that's why he returns home. Reasons: the mother is clearly on edge when he returns home, which is immediately apparent; the father has numerous survival skills, from using tar, to cooking, to creating fire, to pitching a tent, to creating a boat, to building a cup out of birch; the father says that he had too much fish once, in the past (my take is that when he escaped from prison, he had to go through the wilderness and he probably lived on fish); the box he takes out of the chest is most likely his stash from before he was arrested. What is not clear is why he took his sons with him--is it because the stash will lead to a better life for them? He obviously doesn't need them. Who is he talking to on the phone? Who provided him with the motor? Are these the ppl he used to work for?

Well, I just wrote a very long alternate take, but for some reason it got deleted. I won't retype the whole thing, unless someone else actually sees the film:

[Show spoiler]The other potential explanation, and I admit it's more likely than the previous one, is that he was marooned on this island (thus, the ship we see)

On a side note, the older son died soon after filming. He drowned on an escursion much like seen in the film.

[Member-115369]

Sunshine Cleaning- 4/5.

I really enjoyed it. Solid plot, really good performances by the whole cast.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Sunshine Cleaning- 4/5.

I really enjoyed it. Solid plot, really good performances by the whole cast.

I loved it, good movie with a great cast.... and Emily Blunt!

[lDlisturb3d]

Shutter Island

Movie 5/5 10/10 Perfect

Wow i wasnt ready for this, the direction acting, everything was INSANE. The story line is so f'in crazy, this flick keeps you confused the entire time, and just when the end arrives you get the taste of bitter success. MUST OWN. Goodbye Sixth Sense hello Shutter Island.

If you want a thriller like no other, then this movie not only deserves a viewing but a spot on you movie collection shelf. Martin can do more than gangster flicks, and Dicaprio is ELITE!!!!!!!!!!!

[QuasidodoJr]

Please Give (8.5 out of 10)

Very good independent, character-driven drama, starring Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt and Amanda Peet.

The basis of the story involves a group of neighbors and their struggle to put up with one another. Catherine Keener and Oliver Platt play a married couple, who run their own business and live next door to a cranky, 91-year-old woman, named Andra, whose apartment they want to purchase when she dies, so they can expand their current living space. Andra's grandadughter, Rebecca (played by Rebecca Hall) looks after her grandmother and resents the neighbors that just want her grandmother's apartment. The other granddaughter, Mary (played by Amanda Peet), despises her grandmother and just wants the old witch to die.

This leads to plenty of awkwardly comical situations between everyone involved.

Andra really can be a cranky old hag, but Kate (Catherine Keener) is guilted by her feelings towards Andra, and the nature of her own profession (taking antique furniture from dead people's relatives and selling them for a much higher price), so much so, that she feels compelled to generously give to anyone in need around her.

I really enjoyed the cast in this film. Great performances all around. The movie also delivers a very heartfelt message. There were a few tissues handed around the audience during my screening. These moments are not heavy-handed, nor do they hit you in the face with sappy melodrama. What makes the film so great is that you'll probably be driven to tears, but everything feels genuine.

Go see it if you don't mind quirky drama!

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Shutter Island

Movie 5/5 10/10 Perfect

Wow i wasnt ready for this, the direction acting, everything was INSANE. The story line is so f'in crazy, this flick keeps you confused the entire time, and just when the end arrives you get the taste of bitter success. MUST OWN. Goodbye Sixth Sense hello Shutter Island.

If you want a thriller like no other, then this movie not only deserves a viewing but a spot on you movie collection shelf. Martin can do more than gangster flicks, and Dicaprio is ELITE!!!!!!!!!!!

you bet he can! have you seen CAPE FEAR? also excellent!

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

you bet he can! have you seen CAPE FEAR? also excellent!

nope but i just added it to the wish list!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

you bet he can! have you seen CAPE FEAR? also excellent!

Great flick.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Shutter Island

Movie 5/5 10/10 Perfect

Wow i wasnt ready for this, the direction acting, everything was INSANE. The story line is so f'in crazy, this flick keeps you confused the entire time, and just when the end arrives you get the taste of bitter success. MUST OWN. Goodbye Sixth Sense hello Shutter Island.

If you want a thriller like no other, then this movie not only deserves a viewing but a spot on you movie collection shelf. Martin can do more than gangster flicks, and Dicaprio is ELITE!!!!!!!!!!!

Taxi Driver and Raging Bull proved that point wayyyy before this movie.

[Freekman]

Million Dollar Baby
Film - 10/10
PQ - 4/5
AQ - 3/5

[Diesel]

3:10 to Yuma

I first saw this movie in either late 2008 or early 2009.

A friend of mine is a huge Christian Bale fan and up until about September or so of 2008 I hadn't seen him in anything besides Batman Begins and The Dark Knight (which I really liked him in both). So when she found that out she started letting me borrow a bunch of his movies and 3:10 to Yuma was one of them.

From the first time I saw it I thought it was a great movie.

The acting is pretty strong all around I thought, but the two leads (Bale, Crowe) are definitely the best in the movie and their scenes together are great to watch. Followed by Ben Foster as Charlie (Marshall: Why didn't you stop the? Charlie: They had guns sir...and they were shooting BULLETS! )

In addition to being well acted the characters are well written and interesting for the most part; I love that the only annoying character

[Show spoiler]got forked to death by Wade

I really liked both of the main characters. Dan trying to do what's right for his family and get money to be able to support them and Wade the feared and legendary wanted man that

[Show spoiler]eventually develops respect for Dan and wants to see him do what he's come so far for...even if that thing is getting him on the train to Yuma prison (which he's escaped from twice already )

The stories of Charlie wanting to

[Show spoiler]save his boss and friend from the good guys and keep him out of jail

and Dan and his son's relationship

[Show spoiler]growing from his son resenting his father in the beginning to finally understanding him and having the respect for him that he should

.

The action sequences are well set up and filmed nicely.

The music used in the movie is great (I believe it got an Oscar nod for this) and the sound of the film is

I really like the look of the film, very nice and fitting of this sort of movie and the wide shots of the landscape are beautiful.

Even if you aren't really a fan of westerns, you should check this movie out. Its a great movie to watch and is very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Rating - 5/5

[Atreyu]

I just watched TCM hi-def version of Around The World In Eighty Days starring the fantastic David Niven.
I read somewhere, I think it was this site, that it is being restored for a future blu relase. While the hi-def version looked good, yes it does need some restoration work. Let's hope Warner doesn't fudge it up like they did with the likes of The NeverEnding Story and Dr. Giggles. They shouldn't as this is a bona-fide classic, but hey it's Warner!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Return (Vozvrashcheniye--Russian title) (netflix instant) (2003 film)


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

I've been meaning to watch this one for about a year now and still haven't gotten to it. Next on my list is In the Mood for Love.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I gave this film 3 stars (out of 4). I have to admit I was underwhelmed by it, based on the cast and director.

Let's see, 3 out of 4 works out to be 75/100.
And me with 4 out of 5 works out to be 80/100.

...I'd say that we are both in agreement (by only a 5% margin difference).

* And I amost gave it 3.75 stars out of 5, that would have been exatly 75/100.

[Diesel]

I transferred all of my reviews that are for movies in my collection from this thread to user reviews on all of their pages in the database.

Going to start working my way through my collection of movies I didn't review for yet occasionally so that I can get them all a review written.