The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I gave it a 3/5. I found it too simple and "easy".

I probably would have given it 3 as well if

[Show spoiler]Nolan didn't recycle the whole "guilty about killing his wife" thing from Momento. The guy's only written a handful of movies and two of them have such glaring similarities? I know it's been 10 years, but come on now. Let's have some creativity here. Besides, the same theme was pretty heavily featured in another movie starring DiCaprio released just this year.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I probably would have given it 3 as well if

[Show spoiler]Nolan didn't recycle the whole "guilty about killing his wife" thing from Momento. The guy's only written a handful of movies and two of them have such glaring similarities? I know it's been 10 years, but come on now. Let's have some creativity here. Besides, the same theme was pretty heavily featured in another movie starring DiCaprio released just this year.

Agree 100%....and both affected my viewing experience as well.

[Show spoiler]While watching the movie I had that "uh oh" thought where Leo has played the same character in the past few movies. Same brooding, intense guy. The Departed, Blood Diamond, Body of Lies, Revolutionary Road, Shutter Island and Inception. He needs to break that streak.

I also had a problem with the "B" movie "Gotcha" ending. Wow Mr. Nolan, that was tricky how you made me think hard, right at the last second.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by repete66211

It's a decent movie, just a little busy for me personally. I'm not gaga for Leo or Nolan, so what I have to say about this movie is definitely a minority report. I mean, look at the thread for Inception. According to the poll over 70% rate it 5/5 stars and about 20% rate it 4/5. Read into that imbalance what you will, but it's apparent a lot of people enjoy it. I (and those I was with) didn't.

I saw that thread, and imdb has it as 9/10 . I'll probably fall in the group that loves it. Can't blame you if you didn't enjoy it though; there are some "busy" movies I hate too. It took be a couple of viewing to appreciate "The Prestige."

I might try and watch "Inception" this weekend, see what I think.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I gave it a 3/5. I found it too simple and "easy".

I heard some folks found it too difficult. Not smart enough for you, eh?

[bundyblu]

Brooklyns Finest....4/5...gritty cop drama...really enjoyed it...great acting

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I heard some folks found it too difficult. Not smart enough for you, eh?

Sadly, I always knew exactly what was going on. Even when a hiccup occurred in the plot, we already knew their stategy for overcoming the hiccup. The plot, story and strategies were over explained in advance. I didnt have to participate, I only needed to watch.

Its the opposite of The Prestige, Following, Momento, Triangle, etc. No twists, no turns, no secrets, no reveals.

IMO, too straight forward to be marketed as a Psychological Thriller.

[iam1bearcat]

(500) Days of Summer

i've reviewed this wonderful gem of a film before, but because of certain circumstances, i've now watched (500) Days of Summer 15 times in the last day and a half. so because of that, i feel i can write a solid review.

i used to be left with a feeling that the film, while fresh, exciting, funny, charming, cute, quirky, uplifting and depressing (at times) was never a solid 5/5 for me. it always hovered around 4.75/5. but after the last 15 viewings, it is in my opinion the best rom-com man has made. i can't imagine what will be able to top such a well paced, perfectly cast and greatly directed film.

before i go off and off about why i enjoy the film oh so very much, i must say that for me, (500) Days of Summer is severly depressing. i know most won't see it this way, but for me it is. but that doesn't ruin the enjoyment of it. the film tells us this isn't a love story, but we either forget that, or don't believe it once the film begins and we see the relationship of Tom and Summer begin, and end. i completely understand both main character's points of views. and while i absolutely hate Summer's, i understand it and have seen it happen before and no doubt i will see it happen again. as for Tom, you know what he wants and what he's looking for, and he truly believes he has found it. even once it's not what it once was, he still believes he's right.

basically, the movie is completely realistic. which i give major points to, but it also makes it entirely crushing for anyone who has gone through such a situation (which i'm sure most of us have). maybe i'm taking away too much from it, but i don't care. that's how i perceive the movie.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel put in amazing performances, a lot of details come across in facial expressions, their eyes, and body language just as much as dialogue does. the directing by Marc Webb, well known for music videos, adds a fresh touch to the film with his personal ideas and visions of directing and structuring the film. the "500 days" do not flow in chronological order, instead we see bits and pieces of their relationship. this could've turned out terrible for a lot of directors, because how do you split up 500 days and make it coherent, and also to the point where people still care about the characters and are left curious about what will happen? so major props to Webb for what he has made here. from the lighting and colors chosen in the film, all of it exceeds atmosphere in the best way possible.

the dialogue? outstanding. smart. funny. unique. quirky. and incredibly real. a lot of the film's dialogue doesn't even come off as "movie like" like a lot of films do.

the co-stars? all solid. i had no issues with any of Tom's friends / co-workers. they all offer some humorous moments and while we barely see them, they do feel like real friends and not just there for the sake of the film / story.

i think what i truly enjoy most about (500) Days of Summer is that even when Tom is "down and out" the film doesn't take on a wholly serious "woe is me" feel. the upbeat, poppy flavor of the movie never disappates, even during sad moments, so the film doesn't have a massive drop off that may lose some viewers as the film changes pace. even when Tom is sad, it's kinda funny, because we've all been there and taken things too seriously and looked back at them later and laughed or smiled about it.

i think (500) Days of Summer should be required viewing simply because of how fantastic, original, real and fresh it is. even well after 30 viewings, the film never gets old. no scenes nag, bother or annoy me. it's flawless in my eyes. and all other rom-coms just got metaphorically smacked in the face by this new king of the rom-com hill.

5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

(500) Days of Summer

i've now watched (500) Days of Summer 15 times in the last day and a half.

There are doctors that can help you. Just ask.

[Diesel]

I'm currently revisiting The Matrix Reloaded.

Will watch Revolutions later.


Wanted to see them again for the first time in a long time (I saw Reloaded once and Revolutions twice) to see if I like them any better.

Will report back with my findings

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

There are doctors that can help you. Just ask.

Day and a half= 36 hours

15 viewings= 25 hours (roughly)

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Day and a half= 36 hours

15 viewings= 25 hours (roughly)

how many of those hours where dedicated to sleep though?

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

There are doctors that can help you. Just ask.

A buddy of mine has watched Bye Bye Birdie at least once a day since he bought it two weeks ago. He's not even gay. He has this obsession with Ann-Margaret since she resembles his dentist whom he's in love with. (I didn't realize quite how creepy it all was until I just typed it out.) Anyway, he made me watch it last Friday, complete with in-person commentary/liner notes. So they're out there.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

(500) Days of Summer

5/5

I love the references to The Pixies and Joy Division.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Agree 100%....and both affected my viewing experience as well.

[Show spoiler]While watching the movie I had that "uh oh" thought where Leo has played the same character in the past few movies. Same brooding, intense guy. The Departed, Blood Diamond, Body of Lies, Revolutionary Road, Shutter Island and Inception. He needs to break that streak.

I also had a problem with the "B" movie "Gotcha" ending. Wow Mr. Nolan, that was tricky how you made me think hard, right at the last second.

[Show spoiler]Yeah, the ending is part of why I call some of the movie contrived. "Let's manufacture some buzz for the movie by leaving the ending up in the air. People will talk about it forever!"

As far as DiCaprio being the brooding guy, hasn't he always been? This reminds me of what Tasha Robinson said on the A.V. Club recently.

Side note: Leo has over 20 movies listed as "in development". Is he the new Sam Jackson?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by repete66211

Side note: Leo has over 20 movies listed as "in development". Is he the new Sam Jackson?

He is the Anti-Daniel Day Lewis.

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i've now watched (500) Days of Summer 15 times in the last day and a half.

[Monolithium]

Paranormal Activity
4/5

Very effective for a horror film. Don't know if it would hold up to repeat viewings though.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sadly, I always knew exactly what was going on. Even when a hiccup occurred in the plot, we already knew their stategy for overcoming the hiccup. The plot, story and strategies were over explained in advance. I didnt have to participate, I only needed to watch.

Its the opposite of The Prestige, Following, Momento, Triangle, etc. No twists, no turns, no secrets, no reveals.

IMO, too straight forward to be marketed as a Psychological Thriller.

Ah yes, I see how this can be dissapointing.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sadly, I always knew exactly what was going on. Even when a hiccup occurred in the plot, we already knew their stategy for overcoming the hiccup. The plot, story and strategies were over explained in advance. I didnt have to participate, I only needed to watch.

Its the opposite of The Prestige, Following, Momento, Triangle, etc. No twists, no turns, no secrets, no reveals.
IMO, too straight forward to be marketed as a Psychological Thriller.

isn't that itself a twist/turn, then? you were surprised, no? as you expected twist/turns?

[Mahatma]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Agree 100%....and both affected my viewing experience as well.

[Show spoiler]While watching the movie I had that "uh oh" thought where Leo has played the same character in the past few movies. Same brooding, intense guy. The Departed, Blood Diamond, Body of Lies, Revolutionary Road, Shutter Island and Inception. He needs to break that streak.

I also had a problem with the "B" movie "Gotcha" ending. Wow Mr. Nolan, that was tricky how you made me think hard, right at the last second.

Mentioned it before:when I saw Inception at the theater half the audience laughed at the ending,and I don't think it was because it was intentionally funny as some people have suggested here.I gave it 2 out of 5.The best I can say about it is that it is a collage of other movies,and maybe that's the worst one can say too.It would greatly have benefitted being shortened.

[Show spoiler]And what about that guy who single handedly took out an entire army in the snowy sequence?The bad guys must have yanked the guage on their guns beyond miraculous-miss setting I hope that was intentinally meant,although I can't for the life of me see the reason behind THAT

Was beginning to feel alone in my views of the movies,so good to know there are others.I have yet to see a single reviewer here in norway give it less than 5/6.I'm baffled by that.

[BladeRunner2007]

Halloween (2007) - Unrated Director's Cut 4/5

Halloween II (2009) - Unrated Director's Cut 5/5

They make a great double feature and I definitely prefer Zombie's DCs on both films.