The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

He looks qualified to review GI JOE.

[Show spoiler]So whats your excuse?

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

He looks qualified to review GI JOE.

[Show spoiler]So whats your excuse?

lol i didnt like this flick either. I thought it was cool at best.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Survival of the Dead

0 out of 5

I'm not even going to give this piece of garbage a proper review....it made Diary look like an Oscar nominee...

yow! that seems to be the consensus of most opinions I've read. You know, I loved the remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD and liked 28 DAYS LATER quite a bit, but I think the "zombie" movie has run it's course.... at least for awhile.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Dude when you watch Machete look out for Jessica Alba. Freaking AMAZING body!!!!!!!!!

is this a fact that we were all unaware of??

[surfdude12]

The Leopard (185 Minute Italian Cut)

Film: 5/5
-blind buy - first viewing
-so many good things to say about this film, which is one of the best blind buys I've made
-direction: can't say enough good things. every shot was picture-perfect. if you paused the film at any point during the 185 minutes, each frame is worthy of being framed on a wall. the film is that gorgeous. at the beginning: the camera pans around the palace estate of the prince, with statute heads posted every 10 yards or so. as the camera moves, showing the building, the trees, the statute heads, the dirt road, you already feel like you're there in Sicily before the film starts! Every other country shot is breathtaking. Costumes are A+ and vibrant in color. Interior design is impeccable. I'm no historian but if this isn't historically accurate, I couldn't care less, I loved it!
-story was fantastic and almost like an italian GWTW: civil war + 1860's + changing political landscape + changing social landscape
-also similar to Barry Lyndon (I prefer Lyndon by a hair - but that's just my IRish bias )
-the acting was gut-wrenching and incredible performance by Lancaster showing how an aristocrat character development through this era. its perfect all the way through the end
-EDIT: ALso: forgot to mention the score, which was truly epic. The theme was gorgeous and reminded me of GWTW's Tara's Theme.

PQ and AQ: 5/5 (thanks Criterion...the PQ was jaw-dropping good...I could see every grain of soil and every contour of each leaf in the Italian countryside)

[Al_The_Strange]

“Halloween” 2007.

Between the excessive visceral brutality of the murders (and the sheer number of murders) and Rob Zombie’s hillbilly deluxe sensibilities, it’s a trashy film. The shaky-cam gets a little out of control sometimes. The victims still act dumb, and it’s especially annoying since they all scream their heads off. There is a lot of perversity in the dialogue that approaches frivolous levels. Yeah, I can’t blame folks for hating this film.

But I like it slightly better than the original for a couple of reasons. First, it is more interesting visually. Not only because of the jumpy camera, but also because the production value is a little better. The sets, props, costumes, and lighting style are all distinctive and slick. I find its overall look and style more pleasing.

But the second and most important reason is the story and characters. I love how Michael Meyers is given a stronger background, attributing solid reasons for the way he thinks and acts, and ultimately humanizing him. Personally, I find him scarier as a human being turned into an inhuman monster rather than an invincible entity. I also like the fact that the film shows his prison break and some more of his rampage. From then on, the film takes on a typical slasher film stab-a-thon, but I feel it’s one with a stronger backing to it.

3.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 3/5)

This Blu-Ray is quite the deal. The image is sharp and clean; so much that I wonder if some level of DNR was applied. If so, it’s a subtle amount that’s hard to detect, for the image is still very sharp, detailed, and has some film grain. Black levels are not the best, but I believe that color and contrast are adequate. Sound quality didn’t really impress me, as much of it seemed very low and nothing really stood out (too bad, because it is lossless).

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

This set has shedloads of extras that I haven’t bothered looking at yet.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Just watched:
The Abyss

Quiet easily the best movie ever made about oceans.
This movie was magical, definitely a masterpiece on the same level as 2001, Sunshine and so on.

5/5

P.S. It sucks its not released on blu ray yet.

Incredible film. The director's cut is much better. The feeling of mystery and discovery reminded me a bit of Alien.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Timecrimes (Los Cronocrímenes)
(2007) R 89 minutes

DVD


Its a Mexican on land.

Seriously, its a twisted little time travel movie where the protagonist tries to change the outcome of events that have already set in motion. He accidentally enters a LOOP () and tries to navigate his way home. Some of the people () he has to deal with just dont want to cooperate, so he has to do what he has to do.

Worth a watch as a mild headscratcher.

Spanish with English subtitles.

been on my queue for a few weeks. won't get to it for a long time though.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

The Leopard (185 Minute Italian Cut)

Film: 5/5
-blind buy - first viewing
-so many good things to say about this film, which is one of the best blind buys I've made
-direction: can't say enough good things. every shot was picture-perfect. if you paused the film at any point during the 185 minutes, each frame is worthy of being framed on a wall. the film is that gorgeous. at the beginning: the camera pans around the palace estate of the prince, with statute heads posted every 10 yards or so. as the camera moves, showing the building, the trees, the statute heads, the dirt road, you already feel like you're there in Sicily before the film starts! Every other country shot is breathtaking. Costumes are A+ and vibrant in color. Interior design is impeccable. I'm no historian but if this isn't historically accurate, I couldn't care less, I loved it!
-story was fantastic and almost like an italian GWTW: civil war + 1860's + changing political landscape + changing social landscape
-also similar to Barry Lyndon (I prefer Lyndon by a hair - but that's just my IRish bias )
-the acting was gut-wrenching and incredible performance by Lancaster showing how an aristocrat character development through this era. its perfect all the way through the end
-EDIT: ALso: forgot to mention the score, which was truly epic. The theme was gorgeous and reminded me of GWTW's Tara's Theme.

PQ and AQ: 5/5 (thanks Criterion...the PQ was jaw-dropping good...I could see every grain of soil and every contour of each leaf in the Italian countryside)

I mentioned a bit ago that I watched the first two hours of the film but unfortunately had to run out and never got to finish the film. I thought it was very good but not quite great, with the exception of the set design which is arguably the best I've ever seen. Like you said, you can just hang the still frames on the wall. I'm looking forward to finishing the film.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Timecrimes (Los Cronocrímenes)
(2007) R 89 minutes

DVD


Its a Mexican on land.

Seriously, its a twisted little time travel movie where the protagonist tries to change the outcome of events that have already set in motion. He accidentally enters a LOOP () and tries to navigate his way home. Some of the people () he has to deal with just dont want to cooperate, so he has to do what he has to do.

Worth a watch as a mild headscratcher.

Spanish with English subtitles.

Why does that sound comical? Thanks anyways, want to check it out...

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Timecrimes (Los Cronocrímenes)
(2007) R 89 minutes

DVD


Its a Mexican on land.

Seriously, its a twisted little time travel movie where the protagonist tries to change the outcome of events that have already set in motion. He accidentally enters a LOOP () and tries to navigate his way home. Some of the people () he has to deal with just dont want to cooperate, so he has to do what he has to do.

Worth a watch as a mild headscratcher.

Spanish with English subtitles.

To me it sounds a lot like "The Butterfly Effect."

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

been on my queue for a few weeks. won't get to it for a long time though.

Originally Posted by Q!

Why does that sound comical? Thanks anyways, want to check it out...

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

To me it sounds a lot like "The Butterfly Effect."

Gentlemen,

There is no nap, and therefore the protagonist has more options.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

is this a fact that we were all unaware of??

hey im just throwin it out there. I ve never seen her like this before. Its totally R rated lol.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Sorry to hear that. The directing and Nicholson's acting alone make it one of the best horror movies of all-time.

Anyone besides me planning the horror movies to watch during October?

I always have my horror movie festival in October.

[Lepidopterous]

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos - 2009)

This is the first Pedro Almodóvar film I have seen, and I must say I am impressed! My girlfriend gave me this blu-ray for my birthday, although I've never seen it before.

It is a story about an artist (a filmmaker and writer) who has buried his past by taking on a new identity. When his past finally catches up with him, it begins to haunt him and the truth is slowly unveiled through Almodóvar's brilliant narrative. The film also explores the passion of a woman (Penélope Cruz) who is suffocating under the obsession of a powerful man. The density of the characters, complex and layered story, beautiful camera work, striking colors and intense contrast, engrossing score, powerful acting, and strong themes of deception and passion are all strung together with elegance. Suspenseful and passionate, Los Abrazos Rotos is a visual, thematic, and cerebral treat. It is the first of many films I will now be watching of Pedro Almodóvar. This is inspired filmmaking.

4.5/5

[lDlisturb3d]

The Greatest Movies ever made are on

[Show spoiler] TNT

right now!!!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos - 2009)

This is the first Pedro Almodóvar film I have seen, and I must say I am impressed! My girlfriend gave me this blu-ray for my birthday, although I've never seen it before.

It is a story about an artist (a filmmaker and writer) who has buried his past by taking on a new identity. When his past finally catches up with him, it begins to haunt him and the truth is slowly unveiled through Almodóvar's brilliant narrative. The film also explores the passion of a woman (Penélope Cruz) who is suffocating under the obsession of a powerful man. The density of the characters, complex and layered story, beautiful camera work, striking colors and intense contrast, engrossing score, powerful acting, and strong themes of deception and passion are all strung together with elegance. Suspenseful and passionate, Los Abrazos Rotos is a visual, thematic, and cerebral treat. It is the first of many films I will now be watching of Pedro Almodóvar. This is inspired filmmaking.

4.5/5

Interesting to see what you think of Volver, which I thought was well-directed with a great color scheme and includes a great performance by Cruz, but ultimately was a major disappointment as a film, mainly due to the writing.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I always have my horror movie festival in October.

I didn't do it last year because I'm not a big horror fan and there's no doubt it has the weakest depth of quality for a particular genre. I'm going to do it this year though, alternating between horror films and the Criterions I haven't seen before the November sale. On my list to see, in order:


Diabolique
The Devil's Backbone
Them
Shiver
Vampyr
The Strangers (sorry Czar)
Paranormal Activity
Drag Me to Hell


I will also add in The Orphanage and Blair Witch, which I own.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Interesting to see what you think of Volver, which I thought was well-directed with a great color scheme and includes a great performance by Cruz, but ultimately was a major disappointment as a film, mainly due to the writing.

I'm looking forward to it. I was going to check out Hable Con Ella first. It's been repeatedly suggested to me on Netflix... I'll post my thoughts.

Have you seen any of his others?

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I'm looking forward to it. I was going to check out Hable Con Ella first. It's been repeatedly suggested to me on Netflix... I'll post my thoughts.

Have you seen any of his others?

More commonly referred to as Talk to Her

I haven't seen any others because Volver turned me off. I will see them eventually though.