The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

but didn't The Fountain come out years after Gladiator? so wouldn't be considered original for Gladiator and downgrade the soundtrack of The Fountain? not the other way around... right?

I was about to ask the same question.

[Blu Titan]

The Legend of the Guardians:

2/5 for the great visuals. A promising story that just turns to be a boring watch. I went with my son and he kept requesting to leave, and we finally did (before it was over). I did notice other people leaving as well. The movie is very long and just does not hold the viewer's (children) interest.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

but didn't The Fountain come out years after Gladiator? so wouldn't be considered original for Gladiator and downgrade the soundtrack of The Fountain? not the other way around... right?

wait. or do you mean that because the music is used in another soundtrack it doesn't make it as valued / original?

i'm confused by your wording

I don't mean either. I was simply joking that the main theme sounds somewhat reminiscent of a brief instance of the Fountain's soundtrack. It doesn't downgrade either, because both have good soundtracks.

[Diesel]

Oooooh



I watched Terminator Salvation today.

Some people didn't like it, I did

Very much so actually.

It's late, so that's all I'll say about that

Rating - 4.5/5


I was supposed to watch Iron Man today but it got pushed to tomorrow or Tuesday

I'll provide a better review for that one to make up for that "review" I just wrote for Terminator

[CZAR]

Repo Men - This was a cool concept but not executed that well. Even this film was mediocre, Forest Whitaker is always great to watch. He is just one of the better actors we have had over the years. Bits and pieces of the film caught my attention but then it would fall back to reality. All in all a good idea gone bad. I couldnt say I would recommend this film although there are a couple of cool fight scenes but other than that pass on this release.

Film Rating - 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 4 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Everybody else is ranking these movies so I will too:

Braveheart: 5/5
Gladiator: 4.5/5
Kingdom of Heaven: 4/5 (4.5/5 at the highest, especially the DC)
The Last Samurai: 4/5
Troy: 3.5/5 (might be 4/5 at the highest)
Year One: 10/5
10000 BC: 10/5

For all of these, I usually enjoy the DC just as good as the TC (except maybe "Kingdom of Heaven," in which I found the DC better).

"Braveheart" remains at the top of my list, parly because I've been familiar with it for much longer, but mostly because I believe it is the most powerful of the lot. The performances, the cinematography, the story, and the score all work together to create a really invoking experience.

"Gladiator" gets high marks from me mostly for its spectacle, style, and production value. I can understand jhiggy's remarks about it being shallow; it is a pretty straightforward story with rather standard performances. But the first time I saw it, I was in a western civ class, and I could immediately see how realistic the portrayal is (historical innacuracies notwithstanding, the settings are very detailed, locations look real, the culture and society looks convincing, and most of the politics seem accurate).

I never used to like "Kingdom of Heaven," but after getting the DC I realized that its spectacle is about as good as "Gladiator's," with a lot of interesting content regarding the crusades. And I do agree with surfdude; the King is awesome.

"Troy" has always felt average, but I grew to enjoy the spectacle about as much as any other Hollywood-ized epic. The action and fight scenes are nice.

None of these really compare to "Year One" and "10000 BC!"

[Show spoiler]Realistically, I'd rate both of those 3/5 (maybe even 2.5/5); entertaining, but stupid.

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Fargo (2nd Viewing)

[Show spoiler]
After the bashing from Surf and Squid i had to check my reasoning for my initial score for this dumb ass movie. I'd have to say its fun, dont wanna admit it but after seeing it as a dark comedy i couldnt stop my self from laughing at these idiots. And i mean ALL OF THEM are IDIOTS! I think i could right an entire blog about the stupidity that happens in this movie.

My favorite part by far is when

[Show spoiler]the kidnapping part. WTF.

William H. Macy was born for this role he's a complete idiot. Most comedy movies are direct hit you in the face but after seeing Fargo i wanna see more dark comedies to see how it compares.

I also got rid of this movie but its not going anywhere now!
I feel stupid for not catching the type of movie from the get go but o well

Recommended

4/5

Spot on!

Now go see "Burn After Reading" to see more idiots.

Originally Posted by JLant19

Slumdog Millionaire(Netflix)

[Show spoiler]
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor & Frieda Pinto

8 Oscar wins: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Score & Best Original Song

Film:4.5

First viewing of this. It never was something that looked to interesting to me. I'm glad I took a chance on it because it is a very good film. I have no problem that it won BP at the Oscars. It has a strong story behind it and it was way different than what I thought it would be based on the trailer.

The acting was good I had no complaints. Danny Boyle did a fine job directing. Honestly this film did everything almost perfectly, hence all of the awards, which it rightfully deserves.

The only complaint I have with this film is replay value. I just don't see myself watching this too many times. But do not get me wrong, this is a great film and is most def deserving of a viewing.

I agree completely; it's a fine film, but with limited replay value.

Originally Posted by Foggy

Fun Fact: 300 is actually a metaphor for being constipated

That's what they get for dining in Hell!

[Batman1980]

I love 10000 BC and Year One also but they don't really compare to those sword and sandal epics you also listed.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I love 10000 BC and Year One also but they don't really compare to those sword and sandal epics you also listed.

Have you read my spoiler? It's a bit of an inside joke in this thread.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: “Do the Right Thing.”

Started off rather slow and random, but the heat really intensifies as it goes on. The story isn’t much, but it did reach a very explosive conclusion and presented plenty of interesting themes regarding prejudice, civil rights actions, etc. The film has a very interesting (if not wild) cast of characters.

Film-wise, it’s pretty well-made. Photography is decent, lighting and color effects are very interesting, and most settings are distinctive. Acting and writing are good. Music is used in an interesting way throughout (I might have “Fight the Power” stuck in my head all day now ).

My only complaint is length and pacing.

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

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Here's why both Last Samurai and Braveheart are vastly superior to me: they both have meaning beyond one person's attempt at vengeance and they both demand emotional involvement. Gladiator, as good as it is, lacks depth in that it isn't about more than the individual and isn't about one's culture.

Disturbed mentioned the soundtrack of Gladiator. Well, I own that soundtrack as well as Samurai and Braveheart and Gladiator is nowhere near as good or as well-used in the film as it is in Samurai and Braveheart. It doesn't help that the main theme sounds VERY reminiscent as a part of the Fountain's soundtrack!

I have to agree Last Samurai's theme was used better, it had an emotional grasp on you but i think Gladiator's theme is more dynamic. I really guess its all how you feel that day.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Spot on!

Now go see "Burn After Reading" to see more idiots.

I own this one as well, i think Fargo is better though. Id have to watch Burn After Reading Again. They both have good replay value though. That's what matters most.

[sunny85]

The Prince of Persia
2/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

I own this one as well, i think Fargo is better though. Id have to watch Burn After Reading Again. They both have good replay value though. That's what matters most.

Right on!

Strange as it may seem, I never thought of "Fargo" as being funny, so I will have to rewatch it and see. I did find it a bit sad at the end (I think mostly because of the music; that is a rather good score).

"Burn After Reading" made me laugh out loud a lot. I could definitely see the comedy in that movie, and it wouldn't surprise me if some of it could happen in real life.

[DavePS3]

I watched a few over the weekend but the most interesting of these is a title I don't think has been touched on yet; White Ribbon. Black and white tale in German with English subtitles. Very unique and held my interest all the way through. Don't want to spoil it for anyone who's interested but it's a newer film that surrounds a small village in Austria, just before war is declared. It revolves around the people and most importantly, the children and how the parents views, rules and ideals affect them. Not for everyone and NOT a kids movie. Hard to watch in a couple of spots but very well done, well shot, good sound and PQ is top notch for a B&W film. This is strictly a drama.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

What do you think Diesel? Should we ban him?

He should at least be flogged.

Come on man, no suspensions, I would die without this forum.
But you could use a cone of shame at least as a p[unishment.

[JLant19]

Bottle Shock(Netflix)

Director: Randall Miller
Cast: Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman & Freddy Rodriguez

Film:4/5

I remember seeing a trailer for this a while ago in the theater and really got excited for it, but somehow I forgot it. And now somehow I found it and I'm glad I did. This is a really nice film that I connected with. I like wine and the process of making it so I def had prior interest before watching. This film has nothing to do with making wine really its more about how America became relevant in the wine industry.

It is a true story and a good one at that. I def recommend it to everyone.

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Everybody else is ranking these movies so I will too:

Braveheart: 5/5
Gladiator: 4.5/5
Kingdom of Heaven: 4/5 (4.5/5 at the highest, especially the DC)
The Last Samurai: 4/5
Troy: 3.5/5 (might be 4/5 at the highest)
Year One: 10/5
10000 BC: 10/5

Spartacus: 5/5 (and NO, I don't mean Spartacus: Blood and Sand)
Fall of the Roman Empire: 4/5
The Last Samurai: 5/5
Kingdom of Heaven: 4/5
Troy: 3/5
Gladiator: 3/5
Year One: 2/5
10000 BC: 0/5

I listed Spartacus and Fall of the Roman Empire (both available on BD) because if you put those stories together, you basically get Gladiator. That is why I rated Gladiator so low as well as the fact that the story just didn't grab my attention. Year one is funny but I wouldn't own it and I can't bear watching 10000 BC again. Also, 10000 BC put me to sleep and I had to watch it twice to see the whole movie. That also happened to me when I watched Avatar! YAWN!

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest rental: “Do the Right Thing.”

Started off rather slow and random, but the heat really intensifies as it goes on. The story isn’t much, but it did reach a very explosive conclusion and presented plenty of interesting themes regarding prejudice, civil rights actions, etc. The film has a very interesting (if not wild) cast of characters.

Film-wise, it’s pretty well-made. Photography is decent, lighting and color effects are very interesting, and most settings are distinctive. Acting and writing are good. Music is used in an interesting way throughout (I might have “Fight the Power” stuck in my head all day now ).

My only complaint is length and pacing.

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

Nice job man. Do the Right Thing is a very important film! The film can have a big impact on u as well. Do u know that Fight the Power was rated the best rap song ever by VH1? That song was huge and important back in 89. Glad to see u watch this film. I think everyone should see this film atleast once. Keep em comin Al. Got Em!!

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

Spartacus: 5/5 (and NO, I don't mean Spartacus: Blood and Sand)
Fall of the Roman Empire: 4/5
The Last Samurai: 5/5
Kingdom of Heaven: 4/5
Troy: 3/5
Gladiator: 3/5
Year One: 2/5
10000 BC: 0/5

I listed Spartacus and Fall of the Roman Empire (both available on BD) because if you put those stories together, you basically get Gladiator. That is why I rated Gladiator so low as well as the fact that the story just didn't grab my attention. Year one is funny but I wouldn't own it and I can't bear watching 10000 BC again. Also, 10000 BC put me to sleep and I had to watch it twice to see the whole movie. That also happened to me when I watched Avatar! YAWN!

10,000BC is a timeless masterpiece!

[Denoku]

I guess I need to rewatch 1000 BC I don't remember liking it that much.