The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

starting watching The 400 Blows, but i'm tired and since it's more subtitles i gotta read, that means more energy that i don't have currently so i'm gonna wait till tomorrow night to watch it. i don't think i've watched a film that's in english in like, 5 days now

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I watched this a long time ago and while it was good, it didn't really interest me. I bought it when it went on sale for $12.99 a while ago, and it's sitting on my shelf (still sealed). I need to rent this again and see if I like it better the second time

I have to agree with surfdude that 400 Blows is the type of movie that just grows on you. It has a way of speaking to everyone.

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Maybe my favorite Criterion on blu. Absolutely love the film but have only seen it once! I'm considering stopping my netflix for a month so I can watch the films I own again.

I highly recommend Au Revoir Les Enfants if you haven't seen it. It goes even deeper into the emotional complexities of childhood. It's a must-see.

[kelvin555]

The Insider 8 out of 10

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Or not. TDK was in the top 5 for awhile and still might be. Those rankings mean absolutely zero. There are innumerable films that are considered among the greatest ever by critics that aren't even in the top 250. Just saying

I was supposed to see Inception tonite at 10:15 but I think I'm gonna pass. I def look forward to the movie, but it'll get over too late. I'm sure the movie is great but I also know that just like TDK, it's going to be VASTLY overhyped by the fanboys. (by that I mean that it may be a 4 star film, but I highly doubt it's one of the best films ever).

It was number 1 when it came out, IMDB's top 250 is sometimes a joke.

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Oh no worries, I certainly won't be biased. I don't mean to take anything away from the film--everyone seems to really like it and I'm sure I will too. I'm simply saying that imdb ratings are a joke because they're not based on merit as much as they are about hype. TDK and Inception have no business being in the top 250, let alone the top 10. Why? Because time is important in determining how good a film actually is. Inceptions been out 3 days!!!! No way it should supplant long-standing objective classics in that amount of time.

I agree man. Time is important! I still loved the film and I still think its such a great mind-mending film. I cannot wait til I see this again! Def not top 5 though or even top 100... for now

Yea IMDB is a joke.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I have to agree with surfdude that 400 Blows is the type of movie that just grows on you. It has a way of speaking to everyone.



I highly recommend Au Revoir Les Enfants if you haven't seen it. It goes even deeper into the emotional complexities of childhood. It's a must-see.

That's been on my queue for a few months now--I absolutely need to get to it. I'm not sure if it was you, I think it was, but someone reviewed it recently. I really enjoy films about childhood and family so I def want to see it.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by kelvin555

The Insider 8 out of 10

I love this film and think that besides Heat, it's Mann's best film (note: I like them all). Too few ppl have seen it though. I also think it might be Crowe's best performance, although Cinderella Man and A Beautiful Mind make that call tough.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Foggy

It was number 1 when it came out, IMDB's top 250 is sometimes a joke.

I used to use it simply to see what films I've missed. However, I know longer bother bc of how some films are ranked on there--it carries zero weight. Now I use theyshootpictures.com exclusively, because that carries the most weight, in that it ranks the top 1000 based on a conglomeration of lists. It's a great website, probably the best, for ppl that really love classic and foreign films, since that's what most "best of" lists are made up of. What makes the site so great though is that it has modern films as well, some of which are pretty highly rated. It also has the top 200 or so of the 2000s.

[jhiggy23]

surf, did you review Pierrot le Fou anywhere? I can't find it but was interested in your thoughts, since I know you disliked it.

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I used to use it simply to see what films I've missed. However, I know longer bother bc of how some films are ranked on there--it carries zero weight. Now I use theyshootpictures.com exclusively, because that carries the most weight, in that it ranks the top 1000 based on a conglomeration of lists. It's a great website, probably the best, for ppl that really love classic and foreign films, since that's what most "best of" lists are made up of. What makes the site so great though is that it has modern films as well, some of which are pretty highly rated. It also has the top 200 or so of the 2000s.

yea it is a great website.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

surf, did you review Pierrot le Fou anywhere? I can't find it but was interested in your thoughts, since I know you disliked it.

can't find - but I'll sum it up now: think a Romantic version of Into the Wild, with some random Monty Python humor thrown in. yeah...WTF?

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

can't find - but I'll sum it up now: think a Romantic version of Into the Wild, with some random Monty Python humor thrown in. yeah...WTF?

haha--yeah, I'll still check it out just because, but many people aren't a big fan of the film. It's out of stock at B and N and I know it's OOP. If I had it back, I would have bought it when it was still at my store a week or so ago and then gotten it on netflix, just to see if I would like it. But, I think it's more likely that I won't.


Btw, I haven't been able to get Vivre Sa Vie off of my mind since I watched it on Saturday. I've raised my review from 3 1/2 stars to a perfect 4 star rating. Why? Because it has had a lasting effect on me and I really think it deserves that rating. It's very difficult to compare it to other Criterions that I've given four stars to, such as Marienbad and Revanche, but I think it's equally deserving. There's no real way to compare those three films because they're so different, but each are masterpieces in their own way. Can't wait to pick up Vivre Sa Vie. I will say this about it: I have no doubt you'll think it's beautifully filmed, because like Days of Heaven, that's an indisputable fact. However, what will determine if you like the film as much as myself is if you truly feel connected and sympathetic to Karina's character. If you do, you'll love it and think it's tragic. If you don't, then you may like it but you won't love it. It's the same for many movies--connection to the characters or themes propels merely liking a film to loving it, more often than not.

[Romulus]

The White Ribbon

The White Ribbon is definitely one of the those movies that I enjoyed watching once, but never have the desire to revisit it anytime soon. The greatest thing about the film is the cinematography. I honestly have no idea on why this didn't win Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards last year.

[Show spoiler]I found the film to be based on the treatment on children and the potential long term effects. Rather than one person or a group of people accounting for all the "accidents" in the film it was split between the children and the adults. The children were strictly raised to a set of values. However, the children knew that the adults teaching them these values did not live by them. The pastor's son who masturbates has his hands tied to the bed. On the flip side, the doctor molests her daughter. The children know the injustice, and I believe they set up some of the accidents against the adults. Most notably, the wire that injures the doctor at the beginning of the film.

It's a interesting film with interesting themes, but I found the over abundance of characters made it hard for me to connect with them. I always had to stop and think which character was related to who and how the current situation at hand affected the family.

I could go into great lengths on the films themes and how it correlates with history at that time... but when you don't care for the story that much, why bother?

Overall I think I'm going to give it a 7/10.

[SquidPuppet]

The Return (2003) DVD

4/5

I liked this film a lot.

Two young brothers try to adjust to accepting their fathers return to the family after he being gone for 12 years. The younger brother is resentful of the fathers authorative behavior, while the older brother has a more welcoming attitude towards the new Father figure in their lives. The father stuggles between being "too soft" and being to strict.

The film is all about the emotions, relationships and the struggles to adapt, or, the possible dicision to abort attempts of reconciliation. The movie is not about facts, dates and hard answers. We learn almost nothing about the Fathers whereabouts during his time away from the family, although the boys briefly probed for an answer.

On his second day home, the father agrees to take his sons on a 2 day fishing trip, which stretches out to a week. We follow them to an island and watch as each character develops individually and the difficult dynamic of the strained relationship struggles with it ebbs and flows. None of the characters are perfect people which results in an ever present tension.

I loved the ending. Very emotional and it rang true IMO.

All the actors did really good jobs. I liked the patient pacing and the meditative mood that the director created with the cinematography.

The DVD had decent PQ and very good 2.0 AQ.... very clean.

Recommended

Jhiggy.... You were right.

[Show spoiler]The ending resolved nothing. But IMO it answered the important questions. The film set itself up as a "mysterious" movie right from the begining. When we see how vague Mom is about Papas return, the tone for the film has been set. We dont need to know where he has been or why he left or whats in that box or how he knew about the island. The boys dont remember having Papa in their early life, so those things dont matter much to them. The film is a little uncomfortable and tense, which is exactly how this reunion would be. Very realistic.

I see the ending as an excellent and fullfilling climax. We wonder and wonder if the three will ever be able to sort through the hurt feelings and resentments and be able to form a family bond. We wonder if Papa will be able to find the balance he is struggling to achieve between being too strict and too tender. When he dies while trying to keep his son safe, we get a solid answer to an important question. He is a flawed man, but he DOES love his sons. When the boat sinks with Papas body onboard and both sons scream "Papa" as they struggle, and ultimately fail to recover his body we get another solid answer. Although he was MIA for 12 years and wasnt a perfect guy immediately upon return, the boys loved him and yearned for a father figure. I take that closing to mean that they probably would have gotten past the rough patch and been able to be a family, had Papa not fallen and died.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by JLant19

Inception(Theater)

LD did a great job in this. I really praise his acting in this. Same with all of the cast. No one did a poor job at all. I really enjoyed Ellen Page in this. I was happy she did so well. I must say I am not a big fan of hers but thats bc I haven't seen a great amount of stuff she has done. JGL was really good. He is one of my fav actors right now and he did not disappoint.

.

Thanks for the review. If you havent yet, see Hard Candy with Ellen. Its the first movie of hers that I saw and it made me an instant fan.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thanks for the review. If you havent yet, see Hard Candy with Ellen. Its the first movie of hers that I saw and it made me an instant fan.

Awesome movie, Surf and jhiggy should see it, or so should all of you!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Return (2003) DVD

4/5

I liked this film a lot.

Two young brothers try to adjust to accepting their fathers return to the family after he being gone for 12 years. The younger brother is resentful of the fathers authorative behavior, while the older brother has a more welcoming attitude towards the new Father figure in their lives. The father stuggles between being "too soft" and being to strict.

The film is all about the emotions, relationships and the struggles to adapt, or, the possible dicision to abort attempts of reconciliation. The movie is not about facts, dates and hard answers. We learn almost nothing about the Fathers whereabouts during his time away from the family, although the boys briefly probed for an answer.

On his second day home, the father agrees to take his sons on a 2 day fishing trip, which stretches out to a week. We follow them to an island and watch as each character develops individually and the difficult dynamic of the strained relationship struggles with it ebbs and flows. None of the characters are perfect people which results in an ever present tension.

I loved the ending. Very emotional and it rang true IMO.

All the actors did really good jobs. I liked the patient pacing and the meditative mood that the director created with the cinematography.

The DVD had decent PQ and very good 2.0 AQ.... very clean.

Recommended

Jhiggy.... You were right.

[Show spoiler]The ending resolved nothing. But IMO it answered the important questions. The film set itself up as a "mysterious" movie right from the begining. When we see how vague Mom is about Papas return, the tone for the film has been set. We dont need to know where he has been or why he left or whats in that box or how he knew about the island. The boys dont remember having Papa in their early life, so those things dont matter much to them. The film is a little uncomfortable and tense, which is exactly how this reunion would be. Very realistic.

I see the ending as an excellent and fullfilling climax. We wonder and wonder if the three will ever be able to sort through the hurt feelings and resentments and be able to form a family bond. We wonder if Papa will be able to find the balance he is struggling to achieve between being too strict and too tender. When he dies while trying to keep his son safe, we get a solid answer to an important question. He is a flawed man, but he DOES love his sons. When the boat sinks with Papas body onboard and both sons scream "Papa" as they struggle, and ultimately fail to recover his body we get another solid answer. Although he was MIA for 12 years and wasnt a perfect guy immediately upon return, the boys loved him and yearned for a father figure. I take that closing to mean that they probably would have gotten past the rough patch and been able to be a family, had Papa not fallen and died.

Very well-written review and I'm glad you liked it. I think you absolutely nailed the purpose of the film, as stated by the director: the film isn't about the answers.

[Show spoiler]What's in the box isn't important, the journey is. I think you're def right about the two main points being that the father loves the sons and the sons love the father.

Although it's not important to the meaning of the film, how do you interpret the ending? Or do you simply not try to come up with a decision about it, since it isn't essential?

[Show spoiler]My original take was that he was an escaped convict from a gulag who survived in the wild and that the box held his booty. Then, I completely changed my interpretation because I forgot about the ship that is discovered. We know the father was a ship captain, so it seems to make sense that he must have crashed on the island and been marooned there for several years. The box, potentially, held photographs of his family (I've speculated that the concluding photographs in the film are the photos that were in the box) and those things kept him strong. Of course, the main hole is why he was on the island for so long if he was so capable of making a boat and also how he remained muscular if he was marooned. Despite these things, I love the interpretation because it makes the rest of the movie more meaningful to me. The whole film the father is attempting to teach his children how to be independent, which he would have had to be to survive on the island. When he first climbs the tower with the older son, he does so so that his son can see just how removed from civilization this island was. This could possibly explain why no one came to help him and he had to survive himself. But was he on the ship alone? That hardly seems possible.

I think the whole purpose of bringing the kids is to teach them independence along the way and then to show them where he had been the whole time. It was his way of explaining things through actions, not words. I don't think he was hiding the box from the kids, which would be the case if it was booty. If he was hiding it from them, he def wouldn't let them paddle away in the boat for an hour or so when they easily could discover the box. I think he simply wanted to wait till they got home to show the kids and wife. While there are no definitive answers, I really like this interpretation and it furthers what I got out of the film---the relationship between father and son.

Btw, so sad that the elder son died not far from where the latter half of the movie takes place.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Q!

Awesome movie, Surf and jhiggy should see it, or so should all of you!

I've had it on my queue since I got my netflix account 3-4 years ago!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'm a huge Matrix fan and think it's one of the truly original ideas of the last 15 years. I have no doubt Inception is extremely clever too, but we'll see which is more ingenious. I'll make sure to state so in my review, although it will be months from now bc I'm not seeing it in theaters.

I think that may be a mistake.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I've had it on my queue since I got my netflix account 3-4 years ago!

huh?

Don't they automatically bump up or have you added other movies you prioritize?
A minimalistic intense thriller, great performances by the two actors and they're almost the only ones.

jhiggy, I agree with squid about Inception, it may be a mistake, though I have no real reason why