The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Watched Kingdom of Heaven to reassess my 5/5 rating I gave the Director's Cut upon first viewing.

I've decided to lower the score slightly to a 4.75/5 after a repeat viewing.


So my scores for the discussion spurred by Higgy's Gladiator review are now as follows:

Gladiator - 5/5
Kingdom of Heaven DC - 4.75/5
Braveheart - 4.5/5
Last Samurai - 4/5

Haven't gotten to Troy yet.

the force is strong with this one...

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Requiem For A Dream - Director's Cut

Film: 5/5
-a top 30-35 film on my all-time list
-can't say enough good things about Aranofsky's direction. I keep forgetting how good he is until I watch one of his films again. Him and PTA are neck-and-neck for my favorite active director
-everything about the film is A+: one of the greatest performances I've ever seen in Burstyn, a fantastic soundtrack, incredible direction with new techniques that really keep it interesting (split screen, walking/running cam - mounted in front of person looking at their face as they run/walk, speed up/slow down technique, I could go on forever...and EVEN ONE of these techniques would make the direction A+)
-loved the climax ending of

[Show spoiler]4 characters crashing and burning from drug use. It matters not what your age/sex/race/gender is, as each of the 4 did not have the same of each, drug addiction won't discriminate - it just wants to destroy you. The film is a great reminder for those who've never used drugs on why never to start and a greater reminder for those who have why never to re-start.

PQ: 3/5
AQ: 3/5

This was an amazing movie but depressing as hell! I got no enjoyment from this. Its a 5/5 but i dont see why anyone would want to watch this movie again after their initial viewing

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I simply sacrifice sleep, in that I sleep about 5 1/2 hours a nite currently, and I multi-task. For instance, I'm currently eating pasta, working on a direct examination, and filling out a worksheet.

not to get off topic here but i NEED at least 10 hours of a sleep to get through a day.

[iam1bearcat]

The Game

it's amazing what an absolutely god awful ending can do to the overall score of a film...

The Game was in no way a perfect film leading up to its disastrously horribly ending, but it was still generally entertaining and enjoyable to watch. but with an ending that essentially makes the entire story more foolish, ridiculous and over the top (and for a film taking a serious approach having an over obnoxious, blown out of proportion story, it doesn't go well together) it ruins almost all enjoyment from the film.

example: Shoot 'Em Up is over the top and completely ridiculous. but the director / writer KNOW THIS. if the film suddenly had a really serious, down to earth ending, it would have made no sense. The Game is like that. it has a super serious character, very little humor and is placed in the real world. but with an ending that makes the entire story feel like a dumb comic book type, outlandish, and completely unrealistic it, it just doesn't go together!

the story is simple: a wealthy banker (played brilliantly by Michael Douglas) is celebrating his 48th birthday and his delinquent brother gets him a rather unique gift. the gift, is a very personal, realistic "game" that a company gives to each person who registers. the company, CRS, wants to know virtually everything about Nicholas' (Douglas) life. but soon things get out of hand, and is this a game? or is this something much more serious?

the film is extremely long. too long. and that was going to be complaint number 1, but it's #2 now because of the absurd ending which makes the whole film laughable. and the "logic" behind the reasoning is nothing short of stupid.

i've never seen Wall Street, Douglas' 1987 film, but from what i've seen in previews for the sequel, if that's what he was like in the first film, then his character here is an exact rip off some 10 years later. Douglas plays a selfish, self-obsessed, egotistical, cold and overly harsh investment banker. so for the audience, it may be hard to connect with the character, and while the story of his life turning to shambles is supposed to make you care by the end of it, i never really did. i actually liked his snob selfishness. but i didn't care what happened to him. i just wanted to know what the hell was going on. and once i did, i didn't want to remember because it's idiotic.

worth a rental, but i could never watch this again knowing the terrible way it ends. sad really because while not perfect, it was different and pretty interesting. but now? now i feel ripped off for such an ending. i can describe or explain how over the top the ending was. ugh. what a bad taste it has left in my mouth!

2.5/5

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

The Mist (2007 - Colored Version)

an absolute classic!

[Show spoiler]- i love the layers the film provides. from the distinct and unique characters, to the different genres the film succeeds at (horror, drama, sci-fi, psychological thriller, suspense / action mystery, character study)
- i love the slow burning build up the film gives us with moments of intense creepiness, shock, horror, traumatic events, frightening realizations, and smart writing.
- did i mention smart writing? so refreshing to see a film that actually has characters react in a realistic manner
- there were dozens of moments that had my jaw on the floor. from the break down of society, to discussions of religion, to the traumatic, brutal ending.
- it's a 2 hour movie, but it feels like it's 4 hours. and while that may sound like a negative, it's not at all. i loved every second and was completely engaged. the fact that the film has so many different genres mixed in and that director Frank Darabont handles these each with such ease makes the film easy to digest and not get hooked into one set of thought for too long. there's so much going on while not having a lot going on constantly or at once. eh, how can i put this? there's always many different things going on (mentally, supernaturally, personally) and the film handles these perfectly. while there is always a haunting, eerie feel over the film, it never becomes so cluttered and messy that you get confused or turned off by it.
- the score. while there isn't much of one, only a few scenes actually have a score to them, the scenes that do are pretty damn haunting

- THE ENDING. the little i knew about The Mist going into the film was either people loved it or hated it. i LOVED it. i love depressing, soul crushing, completely devastating story comes to an absolutely haunting, yet wonderful ending. my jaw hit the floor once the credits rolled. i was literally frozen in awe as the credits rolled past and i digested what had just happened.

for a film to be horror / sci-fi, but also a very deep character study is unheard of and phenomenal. i loved how the film shows how far people can go, how easily people can break, how quickly people will turn to anything when they are in tough times. i am not a religious person - at all, and i didn't have any problem with the religious feel the film has at times. it fit right in with the story and was extremely logical. for those in the "religious mindset" as the film goes on, they obviously cannot see how bizarre and irrational their actions are, but for people on the other side of the coin can clearly see how far these people have snapped. realistic? hell yes, realistic.

The Mist even has some of the creepiest, most frightening scenes i have ever experienced during a film. the scenes that take place in the pharmacy had me shaking uncontrollably. the only other horror film to make me do that has been The Blair Witch Project, which is one of my favorite movies "of all time", so that says a lot. while not always a horror film, when it does give us horror, it delivers 100%.

this will go down as one of my "Top 10 Best Blind Buys" of all time. for $10 this was worth every penny and cannot wait to watch it again, and cannot wait to listen to the commentary.

i can't say enough about how much i love this film. everyone should watch it. EVERYONE. will definitely be watching this later tonight, and definitely telling everyone i know to watch it as well.

- an absolute must own

5/5

Yea boy u know it! This is a masterpiece of a horror film. Absolutely fantastic. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by surfdude12

major confession to make:

-rented it
-started it
-stopped it half-way

[Show spoiler]after they're all in the grocery store and the tentacles go thru the back door.

. that's it. saw nothing more.
-why did i stop it? uh.......uh...i plead the 5th
-dang now i'm kicking myself for not finishing it! will rent it again

Man u better put that back at the top of your queue! Got Em!!

[CZAR]

Splinter (2008) - This was a decent horror flick. Nuthin to amazing but kind of original and had a few nice moments. Weird concept but interesting at the same time. I enjoyed it but its nuthin to write home about.

Film Rating - 3 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

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

Got Em!!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

the force is strong with this one...

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

not to get off topic here but i NEED at least 10 hours of a sleep to get through a day.

How in the world do you squeeze in 10 hours with all the 500 Days of Summer watching!?

[Show spoiler]

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

This was an amazing movie but depressing as hell! I got no enjoyment from this. Its a 5/5 but i dont see why anyone would want to watch this movie again after their initial viewing

a common criticism of the film, but I'm baffled at why I don't read this for lots of other films on this site, including many new releases, such as torture porn flicks and recent "action" flicks which include such gruesome and gorey violence that it makes Requiem look PG-13. Now those films, I would agree with your post...they're disturbing and have no thematic value. With Requiem, at least there is the latter. Perhaps that's the difference: Requiem is a more genuine/realistic script, which makes it more depressing/disturbing. But why is that a bad thing if it is depressing/disturbing for a redeeming effect (

[Show spoiler]reminding us of the dangers of drugs

)? With the movies above, they're just painfully sick to watch and have no redeeming effect.

[Denoku]

I haven't reviewed a movie in a while..

I've watched Frozen

Which was a great movie and pretty intense all the way around. There was one thing that ruined it for me though....

[Show spoiler]Wolves eating people

4.5/5

Iron Man 2

Great movie! Good PQ and everything. It was my first watch and I think it lived up to the first movie, maybe even better. Mickey Rourke was a great villain

5/5

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Another good movie. First watch for me and I liked it. An interesting concept of aliens(?) taking over the country. I couldn't imagine being in that situation

4/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

I haven't reviewed a movie in a while..

I've watched Frozen

Which was a great movie and pretty intense all the way around. There was one thing that ruined it for me though....

[Show spoiler]Wolves eating people

4.5/5

Iron Man 2

Great movie! Good PQ and everything. It was my first watch and I think it lived up to the first movie, maybe even better. Mickey Rourke was a great villain

5/5

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Another good movie. First watch for me and I liked it. An interesting concept of aliens(?) taking over the country. I couldn't imagine being in that situation

4/5

I knew you'd like "Iron Man 2!"

I blind-ordered "Frozen," since it's so cheap now and everybody seems to love it...

Is that the original 60's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or the 70s version? The latter, with Donald Sutherland, would be my favorite.

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I knew you'd like "Iron Man 2!"

I blind-ordered "Frozen," since it's so cheap now and everybody seems to love it...

Is that the original 60's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or the 70s version? The latter, with Donald Sutherland, would be my favorite.

I just saw Frozen is cheap now I'm a little It's a really good thriller but there was one aspect I didn't like, I'll talk you about it when you finish.

Yeah Iron Man 2 was really good!

It's the 70's version with Donald Sutherland

[master_8ball]

Frozen (2010) - 4.5/5
Wow this movie was so much more than I thought it would be. A friend of mine saw it twice in the theatre and told me how good it was, I didn't think a movie where the entire time they were stuck in a chairlift would be any good, I was very wrong. The movie is so tense and had me on edge the entire time, the situation the characters are in can really be related to, its doesn't come across as some impossible predicament or far fetched. As the entire movie is set in the same place and over some time we do get pretty good character development which really helps you to connect with them and feel the fear and hopelessness they feel. I watched it on blu ray and thought the PQ was okay, nothing spectacular but I would assume this is from how it was shot, and a lot of it is in low light. Highly recommended!

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

I've watched Frozen

Which was a great movie and pretty intense all the way around. There was one thing that ruined it for me though....

[Show spoiler]Wolves eating people

4.5/5

I thought the

[Show spoiler]wolves

were a nice added touch.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Frozen (2010) - 4.5/5
Wow this movie was so much more than I thought it would be. A friend of mine saw it twice in the theatre and told me how good it was, I didn't think a movie where the entire time they were stuck in a chairlift would be any good, I was very wrong. The movie is so tense and had me on edge the entire time, the situation the characters are in can really be related to, its doesn't come across as some impossible predicament or far fetched. As the entire movie is set in the same place and over some time we do get pretty good character development which really helps you to connect with them and feel the fear and hopelessness they feel. I watched it on blu ray and thought the PQ was okay, nothing spectacular but I would assume this is from how it was shot, and a lot of it is in low light. Highly recommended!



I thought the

[Show spoiler]wolves

were a nice added touch.

I hate you guys , so many good reviews that I'll have to blind buy
I see on Rotten Tomatoes that its only 61% from the reviewers. Oh well. I trust you guys more!

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Frozen (2010) - 4.5/5
Wow this movie was so much more than I thought it would be. A friend of mine saw it twice in the theatre and told me how good it was, I didn't think a movie where the entire time they were stuck in a chairlift would be any good, I was very wrong. The movie is so tense and had me on edge the entire time, the situation the characters are in can really be related to, its doesn't come across as some impossible predicament or far fetched. As the entire movie is set in the same place and over some time we do get pretty good character development which really helps you to connect with them and feel the fear and hopelessness they feel. I watched it on blu ray and thought the PQ was okay, nothing spectacular but I would assume this is from how it was shot, and a lot of it is in low light. Highly recommended!

I thought the

[Show spoiler]wolves

were a nice added touch.

I understand.

[Show spoiler]I know there are only so many things you can add for the suspense. To me Wolves brutally attacking people like that just doesn't seem to fit. Wolves don't do that. Other than that I thought everything else was spot on.

Yeah surfdude I recommend as well. A really great movie

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

a common criticism of the film, but I'm baffled at why I don't read this for lots of other films on this site, including many new releases, such as torture porn flicks and recent "action" flicks which include such gruesome and gorey violence that it makes Requiem look PG-13. Now those films, I would agree with your post...they're disturbing and have no thematic value. With Requiem, at least there is the latter. Perhaps that's the difference: Requiem is a more genuine/realistic script, which makes it more depressing/disturbing. But why is that a bad thing if it is depressing/disturbing for a redeeming effect (

[Show spoiler]reminding us of the dangers of drugs

)? With the movies above, they're just painfully sick to watch and have no redeeming effect.

I think "Requiem for a Dream" has an overall tone that really invokes sorrow in the viewer; a combination of intense music (which is an awesome score; Clint Mansell is the man!), style (lots of wild camera angles and whatnot), focus on certain details (could it be that

[Show spoiler]gangreen on the arm is more brutal than getting disembowled? This film makes it so, because the focus is there and it's very intense and painful-looking

), and probably other things too.

Any number of other films make the gore, pain, violence, etc much more arbitrary without the right tone or style. With these movies, it'd be all about the entertainment value; especially on the other end of the scale with films like "Kill Bill," which is bloody and brutal but in a very upbeat fashion.

I think it goes to show that less can be more. "Requiem" (heck, even "Salo" and "The Passion," and from what I hear the "Human Centipede" ) are only somewhat graphic, but derive their power from their ideas, emotions, and genuine cinematic strength.

Sorry if I rambled; I'm just fascinated...

Anyway, great review for a great film!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

I just saw Frozen is cheap now I'm a little It's a really good thriller but there was one aspect I didn't like, I'll talk you about it when you finish.

Yeah Iron Man 2 was really good!

It's the 70's version with Donald Sutherland

Right on!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

My favorite Stephen King movie is Storm of the Century. I love this movie

Yes! That is an awesome story!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I think "Requiem for a Dream" has an overall tone that really invokes sorrow in the viewer; a combination of intense music (which is an awesome score; Clint Mansell is the man!), style (lots of wild camera angles and whatnot), focus on certain details (could it be that

[Show spoiler]gangreen on the arm is more brutal than getting disembowled? This film makes it so, because the focus is there and it's very intense and painful-looking

), and probably other things too.

Any number of other films make the gore, pain, violence, etc much more arbitrary without the right tone or style. With these movies, it'd be all about the entertainment value; especially on the other end of the scale with films like "Kill Bill," which is bloody and brutal but in a very upbeat fashion.

I think it goes to show that less can be more. "Requiem" (heck, even "Salo" and "The Passion," and from what I hear the "Human Centipede" ) are only somewhat graphic, but derive their power from their ideas, emotions, and genuine cinematic strength.

Sorry if I rambled; I'm just fascinated...

Anyway, great review for a great film!

well put - I agree 100% with everything you said!

re: the bolded parts above. yes, some films show gore in an "upbeat fashion", while others use gore to convey emotions/ideas/etc. Even though each type of film has different immediate effect, the long-term subconscious effect can be similar even if we don't feel it right away because we're too busy laughing at how Uma THurman cut some dude's head off. So I guess IMO: if I'm subjecting my subconscious to the effect of gore, why not also get the benefit of themes and content?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I didn't think it was terrible, but I thought it was extremely mediocre. 2 stars (out of 4). The acting was poor, the script could've been much better, the directing was decent, the effects ranged from decent to poor, the ending was meh. The King ending I personally think is better. I finished reading King's Under the Dome a few months ago which has very similar themes, but was an absolutely pathetic book; the worst I've read in at least 5 years.

There was some weak work in there. I'll agree with that. However, Marcia Gay Hardens performance was bone chilling.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

major confession to make:

-rented it
-started it
-stopped it half-way

[Show spoiler]after they're all in the grocery store and the tentacles go thru the back door.

. that's it. saw nothing more.
-why did i stop it? uh.......uh...i plead the 5th
-dang now i'm kicking myself for not finishing it! will rent it again

Please do. Its theme rich and worthy of discussion.