The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[QuasidodoJr]

I Am Love (Io sono l'amore)

Beautifully shot film from Italian writer/director Luca Guadagnino. Tilda Swinton plays the lead as Emma Rechi, speaking full Italian and Russian. She is married to a wealthy man and has three children. Her eldest son, Edoardo (Flavio Parenti), introduces her to a young chef named Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini), whom he plans to start a restaurant with.

Emma and Antonio have an instant connection and soon begin having an affair. Her marriage has felt like nothing but a convenience for a while, as her husband has cared only about the family business and finances. She feels like her life has begun anew in meeting Antonio because she has found a man that loves her and puts her before everything else in his life.

Edoardo has no clue it's happening, but starts to feel a distance growing between him and his mother, and his friend Antonio.

Tilda Swinton is absolutely brilliant in this role, and the imagery, captured throughout breathtaking locations in Italy, brings a lot of life and character to each and every scene. I really enjoyed this movie.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I probably could have typed more, but I'm tired.

[P@t_Mtl]

Sunrise

I decided to order the Blu-ray release from Masters Of Cinema, Amazon.uk had it at a very good price and being region free (something that does not happen much with this series) it was well worth it.

Last time I saw this movie I was in college back in the mid-80's. It was a projection. The cinema teacher would have regular projection of classic movies on Saturday afternoons. I would attend most of those Saturdays during my time there. At the time I was discovering these movies. I grew up mostly on Hollywood and French cinema. So it was a joy to discover movies from different countries and classics that just did not play on TV. The movie itself is simply fantastic. The story is a fairly dark one but extremely interesting, how a man can be tempted by the things that look so bright and shiny on the other side of the fence and not see that real joy is already with him. The Blu-ray is fantastic. I now own four pre-1930 movies, Sunrise, Battleship Potemkin, The General & Steamboat Bill Jr. It's amazing what they have manage to do with them. They haven't look this good in years. If they manage to do the same results with City Lights (my favorite Chaplin movie) when it's release, I will be one happy customer.

[Q?]

The Hurt Locker

A bit meh, I didn't find it as exciting because the main character didn't seem to care if he died or not. I actually wish that Guy Pearce who was in the beginning of the movie had the lead, he was much more interesting. Also, There Will Be Blood music?
PQ of the UK BD was great though, grain and all.

6/10


The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Meh also, I usually like Gilliam's movies but not this one. What's the point of trying to wow an audience with crap CGI? The acting was fine though, I liked the characters in the movie and it did seem interesting in the beginning but lost me. BD looked fine. I thought about blindbuying it and I'm glad I didn't, borrowed from a friend.

5/10


War Of The Worlds (2005)

I love the 2/3 part of the movie, it's intense and scary. I dream about alien invasions about once every two weeks, been doing that for years, so the first part of the movie was a treat for me. But the last part of the movie dissapoints, the crazy guy Tim Robbins sequence was way too long and not very convincing. The UK BD looked fine, sometimes heavy grain and the movie looked a bit soft. But I honestly think it was supposed to look a bit soft and very grainy, because it did help the CGI a lot, which helped sell the movie as believable.

7/10

[Q?]

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Fantabulous and incredulous! Great actors, great cinematography, great score which deserved an award imo, great story and it's just great overall. I really loved Lisbeth, both the character and actress (well she is beautiful and alien like) and Mikael as well, a character you can easily sympathize with. Almost 2 1/2 hours long it never drags. The scandinavian BD looked flawless in the 2.35 : 1 aspect ratio, which happens to be my favourite. This is a safe rent. Apparently an 180 min. extended version is available now, makes me wonder wether I should get that as well. I agree with Squid about the ending, but the hard stuff that happens in the movie justifies the ending for me if that makes sense.

9/10


The Girl Who Played with Fire

Almost every component that made the first one so great are not to be found here. The music is bland, even the aspect ratio isn't the same, 1.85 : 1 which dissapointed me greatly, as the cinematic feel is completely lost. The scandinavian BD didn't even look as good as the first, it was softer and not as pleasing as the first. It honestly felt like a TV movie to me, though I still liked it it was a significant drop in quality. The ending was pretty unfulfilling but that's supposedly taken care of in the third installment which I do want to see. Hopefully a "closure" will make me feel better about it.


6.5/10

[surfdude12]

Children of Men

Film: 3/5
-3rd viewing, and its a good-fun film, but not great IMO. Great special effects and action, but the script is just not as engaging to me. Also, the performances were great, except the girl who played Kee, who made me cringe at times

PQ and AQ: 5/5


Paris Texas

Film: 4.5/5
-incredible film all around: direction/cinematography, script and acting. An all around package that can't be missed

PQ: 4/5

AQ: 4/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'm gonna go ahead and recommend a movie: The Peaceful Warrior. It's about a college gymnastics star who gets in a massive accident and is forced to re-examine his life. His mentor is a gas station clerk, played by Nick Nolte. It's semi-autobiographical and based on the novel "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior," which I read and thought was very good. The film is good as well, I gave it 3 stars (out of 4). It's not a great movie, but in terms of movies that were practically not released in theaters, it's worth seeing. I have a great interest in Buddhism and inspiration, and this film/book focuses on both. I saw the film 2-3 years ago but was just reminded of it today. The trailer is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsS3cXGs2GQ

Ever see Seven Years in Tibet?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Q!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Fantabulous and incredulous! Great actors, great cinematography, great score which deserved an award imo, great story and it's just great overall. I really loved Lisbeth, both the character and actress (well she is beautiful and alien like) and Mikael as well, a character you can easily sympathize with. Almost 2 1/2 hours long it never drags. The scandinavian BD looked flawless in the 2.35 : 1 aspect ratio, which happens to be my favourite. This is a safe rent. Apparently an 180 min. extended version is available now, makes me wonder wether I should get that as well. I agree with Squid about the ending, but the hard stuff that happens in the movie justifies the ending for me if that makes sense.

9/10

Yeah, the only reason the ending bugged me a LITTLE is because

[Show spoiler]I have seen it before in a few movies.... Body Heat etc.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Children of Men

Film: 3/5
-3rd viewing, and its a good-fun film, but not great IMO. Great special effects and action, but the script is just not as engaging to me. Also, the performances were great, except the girl who played Kee, who made me cringe at times

PQ and AQ: 5/5

Your score is wrong. Should be 4/5 I loved the THEMES.

Paris Texas

Film: 4.5/5
-incredible film all around: direction/cinematography, script and acting. An all around package that can't be missed

PQ: 4/5

AQ: 4/5

I loved the pacing in this movie. So deliberate.

[lDlisturb3d]

After looking into critics and trying to see which critic is best suited for my viewing needs, ive come up with the conclusion that if i were to follow any specific critic(s) it would definitely be Rupert and Ebert. They seem to fit my needs when it comes to main stream movies.

[lDlisturb3d]

GLORY

Unforgettable, and Authentic Performances and of course a story worth knowing/telling

It took me a while to pop this treat in but now i see why this movie is among the greatest. Everyone played their roles incredibly, i was even able to get into Matthew Broderick's role. I dont have the right words to describe Denzel Washington (Best Supporting Actor) and Morgan Freeman, a simple way to describe it is certain scenes i didnt blink nor breath . I cant disagree anymore about the award Denzel Washington received for his amazing acting, in addition this movie brings a strong message to those a are open minded enough to receive it.
This movie was truly a treat and a MUST OWN

5/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Your score is wrong. Should be 4/5 I loved the THEMES.

ah yes, the forced marriage of

[Show spoiler]infertility and illegal immigration? I know, I know. Everyone gets it but me. whatever.

BTW Squid: did you notice the blatant reference to the nativity? (1) Kee meets Faron in straw stable, to music track of church choir, (2) Kee jokes about being a virgin, (3) Kee/Faron do find a "room at the inn" (nativity variation), and last but not least (4) Kee/Faron exit the "inn" with the "messiah", to bows and people blessing themselves, to again, the church choir audio track. Haven't quite put my finger on the intent there, but my guess is to try and piggy-back on that theme.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

ah yes, the forced marriage of

[Show spoiler]infertility and illegal immigration? I know, I know. Everyone gets it but me. whatever.

BTW Squid: did you notice the blatant reference to the nativity? (1) Kee meets Faron in straw stable, to music track of church choir, (2) Kee jokes about being a virgin, (3) Kee/Faron do find a "room at the inn" (nativity variation), and last but not least (4) Kee/Faron exit the "inn" with the "messiah", to bows and people blessing themselves, to again, the church choir audio track. Haven't quite put my finger on the intent there, but my guess is to try and piggy-back on that theme.

That scene gets to me every time.

Hmm, don't remember there being any music during that scene (much less churchy-type music ). Maybe it's time to rewatch it, I must have forgotten a lot of it!

Interesting references...

[Q?]

Did anyone get "Room 237" in Triangle? The writing on the mirror?

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

That scene gets to me every time.

Hmm, don't remember there being any music during that scene (much less churchy-type music ). Maybe it's time to rewatch it, I must have forgotten a lot of it!

Interesting references...

its a female opera-type voice singing a soft melody, with background voices or soft instrumentals in the background, latin or something. whatever label you put on it, i found it enhanced the

[Show spoiler]nativity reference

. but thats just my interpretation.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Q!

Did anyone get "Room 237" in Triangle? The writing on the mirror?

dont go there!! I got axed (no pun intended..ouch) for going too much into that. you've been warned.

[Show spoiler]but yeah, room 237+red axe+"I feel like I've been here before" = Floating Overlook. There I said it. Take that Squidpuff! no, i'm not bitter! where did you get that idea??!?!?

[Al_The_Strange]

“Clash of the Titans” 2010 as a DVD rental.

I would like to thank everybody for all your (mixed) recommendations.

At first glance, I had some reservations. Seeing Persius’ “birth” in the first minute or so made me groan and mock…

[Show spoiler]what? Are we saying this boy and his mother were born from the bottom of the ocean?!

. But later on, the film showed more background to that scene, and it made sense. Then I noticed how the scenery suddenly changes from a seemingly-proper Grecian setting to an English-looking wood, and then a desert, and then something else, and I mocked again, where in ancient Greece is all this?! But considering that Mount Olympus and the River Styx are real places that the characters go to within the film, I would conclude that the varying sceneries are not too far-fetched in this fantasy-type environment.

I was overthinking it.

Pushing these reservations aside, I can see some good and some bad. The plot kinda does play out just like the original film, and a lot like an average adventure. I think Andromoda’s role in the original film was stronger in the old film and drove the story a little better. But, there are things in the new film that I think work better. Chief among them is the fact that the quarrel is between Zeus and Hades (because of the inherent good vs evil plot), instead of Zeus and his wife (because they were bored). Going hand-in-hand with that, I think Perseus is a stronger character in the new film, because he has the inner struggle

[Show spoiler]of accepting his godly heritage

, and it runs through the whole film. Not like the old film, where Perseus just went with the flow.

As such, the acting was pretty decent; not great for the most part, but Sam Worthington seemed good. Liam Neeson seemed average to me, but his wardrobe and mannerisms reminded me a lot more of Odin rather than Zeus (I wonder if that’s intentional…). Writing is a little simplistic, but passable for this kind of summer-blockbuster film. Photography is okay; a little jittery in the action scenes, but gorgeous in other scenes.

In the end, it’s the imagery and the action that takes precedence, and they are wonderful. The scorpion fight, the Medusa fight, and the Kraken scene are all marvelous. In between, the sceneries, the SFX, and the production value is quite slick. I felt the beginning dragged just a little, with the best stuff being in the last half.

At the moment, it's the closest we have to a "God of War" movie!

If it helps, I give it 4/5 (entertainment: 3.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4/5), just barely. My opinion might improve in time. I’ll probably get the German steelbook.



Prior to that, I also watched “The Brink” on DVD.

The other side of “The Cult” disc, so naturally, this is more of the same B-rated awfulness. The concept is not bad, but was handled much better in the film “White Noise.” In this film, the story’s weaker, dumber, and with a very low production value. Acting seemed okay for what it’s supposed to be. Overall through, just more schlock.

2/5 (entertainment: 3/5, story: 2/5, film: 1/5)



And then, I watched “Dangerous Flowers,” which is called…ugh…”Chai Lai Angels” on the DVD cover.

As the cover suggests, it’s an Asian rip-off of “Charlie’s Angels.” The two films have much in common; I suppose “Dangerous Flowers” is meant to be a parody, but I feel that it’s more of a weak shadow, complete with overly-campy comedy and action. Its pretty fun, as the movie never really takes itself too seriously, but as such it has a weak story and weaker characters. Production value is okay, with decent-enough sets props and costumes, but the SFX are weak. Photography is not bad.

3/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 2/5, film: 3/5). Makes me want to watch “Charlie’s Angels” (I want my Blu-Ray already!! )

[Q?]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

dont go there!! I got axed (no pun intended..ouch) for going too much into that. you've been warned.

[Show spoiler]but yeah, room 237+red axe+"I feel like I've been here before" = Floating Overlook. There I said it. Take that Squidpuff! no, i'm not bitter! where did you get that idea??!?!?

Haha, I just thought of it as a reference, a big shout out to the greatest horror movie ever made.

Which I find nothing wrong with

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

its a female opera-type voice singing a soft melody, with background voices or soft instrumentals in the background, latin or something. whatever label you put on it, i found it enhanced the

[Show spoiler]nativity reference

. but thats just my interpretation.

Oh yeah, I think I do remember that...

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

ah yes, the forced marriage of

[Show spoiler]infertility and illegal immigration? I know, I know. Everyone gets it but me. whatever.

BTW Squid: did you notice the blatant reference to the nativity? (1) Kee meets Faron in straw stable, to music track of church choir, (2) Kee jokes about being a virgin, (3) Kee/Faron do find a "room at the inn" (nativity variation), and last but not least (4) Kee/Faron exit the "inn" with the "messiah", to bows and people blessing themselves, to again, the church choir audio track. Haven't quite put my finger on the intent there, but my guess is to try and piggy-back on that theme.

I dont remember that. You are right then, the movie sucks.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Ever see Seven Years in Tibet?

Yup. I'm gonna buy it at some point.