The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats fine. I have no problem with you having extremely low standards.

I really only thought he was bad at the very end when he was trying to play epic grief. He's no Hugh Jackman.

Huge understatement

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Toy Story 3

Film: 4.5/5

[Show spoiler]lotso, whose story at first seemed inconsistent (if his gripe is with bad owners, why is he taking it out on toys?), but i concluded he is either (a) genuinely trying to help the toys by doing what he thinks will prevent them from going through the same owner-abandonment he went through, or (b) he's envious and jealous of even the notion that another toy may have the owner he never could, as this would mean he's inadequate. do you guys think its (a), (b) or both, with lotso?

PQ: 5/5
AQ: 4.5/5 (Ok maybe I'm smoking something, but I had to crank my volume pretty high on this BD to get the same level volume as TS 1-2. Still great quality, but I did notice this)

(b) Most definitely.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

You know whats funny. You never hear ANYONE complain about The Road. Yet, in The Road

[Show spoiler]Viggo carried a pistol and had an explicit pact with his Son that they would take a bullet before being captured by the canibals. We even saw Viggo put it to his Sons head a couple times. The boy looked scared, but he looked like he was in agreement.

But does anyone ever complain about that??? NOOoooooo.

That was completely warranted in The Road. The entire movie was dark, bleak, and depressing. The film was purposely made very hard to endure, and that certainly helped and fit in perfectly. My whole problem with The Mist ending was

[Show spoiler]the sudden change in attitude and character and the abandonment of heroics.

Great example btw. I have pointed this out before (The Road/Mist comparison) when discussing The Mist ending.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

no no no!!!! I was just talking about Woody's last line!! I guess it just slipped by me pretty fast. I was moved a lot during the film (but yes, no tears )!! And yes!! I think you've nailed it -- I've watched all TS films in the past month at age 32, so there's not much emotional history with the films as you (desperately trying to argue my way into having a pulse! ) The most I was moved? Probably during the opening "you've got a friend in me" track...I'd have to be the devil not to get moved by that sequence, and also

[Show spoiler]Andy's introduction of the toy's to the new girl and his last look at Woody -- done perfectly

. I guess you hit the nail on the head earlier on that previous post -- A vice of mine is I'll overthink too much during some films, and you can't be emotionally receptive while you're engaging in intellectual gymnastics! Its like riding a bike while you're running -- can't do it!

What about when they were all headed for the

[Show spoiler]fire and they accepted their fate (death) and all held hands, to go out together?

If that didnt make you cry, well, then, you are a Martian or robot.

[tbizzle]

Hey Diesel, I love Michael Bay's films as well You gotta see Bad Boys 2 and Pearl Harbor, get on that foo!! Pearl looks and sounds great, and I can't wait for Bad Boys 2 to get the blu treatment.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Al, I gotta say, you and DJMethod may have the ability to enjoy the WIDEST range of film types.

I've heard the same thing about my personality. For example, I play classical piano (Beethoven, Mozart, etc.) and metal on the drums (Metallica, Lamb of God, etc.).

As far as film, I can enjoy a wide range of genres, but my tastes and humor are pretty specific.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

What about when they were all headed for the

[Show spoiler]fire and they accepted their fate (death) and all held hands, to go out together?

If that didnt make you cry, well, then, you are a Martian or robot.

[Show spoiler]I not only cried during this part, my chest did one of those involuntary hiccup-gasps for air that I probably haven't done since I cried as a child.

[Show spoiler]I then proceeded to look around me hoping nobody noticed.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Hey bearcat, I've been meaning to get back to you on your response to my thoughts about the The Mist's ending a while back... my bad. When I'm on this forum, for some reason I have a bad habit of procrastinating and not writing on certain topics because it feels like work to me. Hell I still have like 4 films I haven't posted on... dunno why but if I can't write what's on my mind immediately, it kinda feels like schoolwork or somethin so I put it off. Sometimes I just wanna write "Film - 5/5. Loved it. Done." Plus, I have ADD and I get distracted sometimes and I end up listening to music or going off and clicking on other threads

Anyways, here's my overdue response.

[Show spoiler]I totally see where you're coming from, but I completely disagree. As Squid said, people react differently. Some would do exactly what he did in the film and some wouldn't, it seems to be about half and half. This makes for an excellent ending to the film because there are arguments for both courses of action. Everyone's different... there are weaker people in this world and there are stronger ones. As I've stated before, I believe that you must push forward in this kind of situation.

It's easy to give up when facing evil. The survivors and heroes are not the ones that simply lay down and die. It could easily have gone bad 30 seconds after leaving the car, but you'll never know unless you try. As I stated before, there could be another vehicle nearby, or a cabin with weapons and supplies 100 feet from the road...you might find a weakness of the creatures, you might have to fight some more, but you gotta try. I mean, LOOK HOW IT ENDED The military showed up, tanks and all. And that outcome is at the extreme end of the spectrum, what if you just found a group of people in trucks with guns? What if you found another group of survivors such as yourselves? Anything can happen, but you have to try.

Pulling the trigger is the easy way out. It only leads to DEATH. You're actually murdering people in the end.... saying no to life. I can not, and never will do that. Yes, pulling the trigger may look like more of an attractive alternative to what may be out there in the mist, but what's out there is not a certainty. That's where the hope is, and you have to have faith.... push on... fight longer... survive... not stick a gun to your kid's head!!

This is not meant to be arguementative at all. In fact, its never been discussed, as far as I know.

What if you had a son who was 17 or so. Old enough to weigh the options.

[Show spoiler]What if he said "Dad, if they get close enough to nab me, please put a bullet in me because I'd prefer that over being a victim of the critters".

Would you do that? Could you do that? Should you do that? Is it OK, or is it still wrong? Would it be OK if the boy was 12?

I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on that. Elaborate please. The reason I ask is because that is essentially what the older couple and the woman asked of Thomas Janes character.

[tbizzle]

Bearcat, sorry to hear that you didn't quite like the greatness that are Malick's most recent films

Glad you didn't hate them though. He's got a very unique style and his films are definitely not for everyone. I wasn't too crazy about his first film, Badlands, although I enjoyed it. I'm so stoked for The Tree of Life though. It can't come soon enough!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I saw Megamind earlier tonight. Very funny and enjoyable! I'd level it with Monsters vs. Aliens, maybe better. Not exactly memorable, but surely worth a watch nonetheless. The script was a bit dry sometimes but some golden jokes made up for it big time. One particular running gag had me laughing so hysterically every time it came up, my gf got embarrassed. I just couldn't stop laughing at one point. I may buy it on blu-ray for that joke alone. It had a number of throwback references throughout the film, including one to Donkey Kong. Random cast--didn't even realize Brad Pitt was in it until the end credits, but they all did a great job. Very random soundtrack (AC/DC, Guns 'n Roses, Ozzy Osbourne... which movie are we talking about?) which gets a bit lame but some song choices are bearable for the sake of its family-friendly vibe (i.e. Michael Jackson's "Bad"). Megamind is not incredibly original but it is certainly clever enough to please adult audiences. Very happy we picked this over Due Date.

4/5

Sounds pretty good.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

This is not meant to be arguementative at all. In fact, its never been discussed, as far as I know.

What if you had a son who was 17 or so. Old enough to weigh the options.

[Show spoiler]What if he said "Dad, if they get close enough to nab me, please put a bullet in me because I'd prefer that over being a victim of the critters".

Would you do that? Could you do that? Should you do that? Is it OK, or is it still wrong? Would it be OK if the boy was 12?

I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on that. Elaborate please. The reason I ask is because that is essentially what the older couple and the woman asked of Thomas Janes character.

[Show spoiler]If he was younger and it came down to the very end, I'd grab my boy and look into his eyes and tell him that I love him. As I hugged him, I'd hold his head close to my chest where he couldn't see anything, then I'd put one in his head and if need be, take care of the others after that. If there was no one else, I'd do myself in the very end, though not if there was even the slightest chance I could fight my way out of it. With me being on my own, it would be a lot easier to push on after that.

Now if he was older, maybe 17 or so, I'm assuming he'd be a lot like me and we'd be hangin on to that last thread of hope. If it was lookin bad, but not the end, I wouldn't even think of doing it. It would have to come down to the very end, then I'd do what's best for us and I'd be making the call. Until then, all request would be denied

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

The New World

[Show spoiler]wow. thank god for the power of rentals, and thankfully i no longer blind buy because this would easily go down as one of the worst i would have ever made. The New World is not a badly made film, it's really just not my taste, but i went in with an open mind. and it was a bad choice by me. sometimes, when you don't like something, you just gotta let it go, and move on to something else.

honestly, The New World was a bit coma inducing for me. i don't think a single character raised their voice once. nor was there any real big action sequences. ironically enough the film is rated PG-13 for "intense battle sequences" maybe my dvd skipped a whole bunch of scenes (sure didn't feel like it at 2.5+ hours ) that were entertaining, but i didn't see any reason for the film to be PG-13.

but i'm fine with no action. a lot of my favorite movies are slow moving films that work on dialogue and characterization, but i guess you have to have an interest in the 1600's and a love story and i sure didn't. i could almost instantly tell that Malick directed this, and after watching The Thin Red Line last night (one of his other works) i can tell he's someone who likes being outdoors and slow plodding films. but the characters i didn't care for. the story was something that yes, has been done a lot before (although it did kind of change it up when i wasn't expecting it), it looked great, the score was solid, the directing was good... it just wasn't for me.

add this to my "one and done" collection EASILY. individual merits are all good, but the total package and story itself just didn't win me over. and it certainly didn't help that it moves almost too slowly for its own good. i would be cautious for those thinking about seeing The New World. look into it a bit and see if it suits something you like or want to see. because even with areas that usually create a great film, if the story doesn't interest you, this will be a long, comatose journey.

3/5

I find most of Malicks work to be unfocused. I think he "Develops the film as he goes along". Evidence of this would be the many scenes including prominent actors from The Thin Red Line that were left on the cutting room floor. I dont believe that he has a clear and "Precise" vision of the final product when he starts. And thats OK because he is an artist, but for me, it shows up (in a negative way) in the final work. I have no problems with films that meander and dont follow a straight path, but his feel "Destinationless". And yes, I know, some films are about the journey and not the destination, but his feel clumsy to ME.

I also believe he put a 14 year old actress into situations that were beyond her years. Bale and Farrell were in their late 20's early 30's.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I managed to squeeze in a movie yesterday after all. I watched The Mummy.
Rating - 4/5

Originally Posted by Diesel

:

Transformers
Rating - 4.5/5

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Do you mean 5/5 for The Mummy? Hopefully

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

my responses are in bold in your spoiler
of course my thoughts are not to try and change your thoughts, and i know you're not trying to do the same to me. we're just having a great discussion on which side of the line we stand on

[Show spoiler]and i understand where you're coming from, but they already did push on. and they got god knows how far and didn't see any sort of civilization, no signs of hope, and more creatures, webbing everywhere and destruction. so they did push on. and i would be with them. i wouldn't be able to push on any longer.

[Show spoiler]Driving on one tank of gas is not pushing on. Pushing on is what comes after the challenge is laid in front of you

Again, I see where you're coming from. The thing is, you can throw as many obstacles at the situation as you want... but it still doesn't change what needs to be done, and imo, that's surviving. Life's too precious to throw away when facing a seemingly impendent doom. The more you concentrate on the negative aspects of the situation, the more paramount the task in front of you becomes. You can throw all these negative "what if's" out there, but the equal amount of positive "what if's" can be thrown right back. Even in a sh!tty situation like this, there CAN always be a ray of sunshine right around the corner,

[Show spoiler]as was the case with the ending in this film

. If someone wants to end their life in that situation, I would do everything I could to prevent that. If I couldn't, then I'd let them go and that's just one less thing to slow me down. That sounds harsh, but in that situation, my boy and I are ultimately the only thing that matters.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Squid may find it during his Monday morning round up
.

Why would I pick on HIM? He actually watches movies that I recommend.

[iam1bearcat]

Vanilla Sky

a longer review with be forthcoming, but i gotta keep this short, got dinner reservations in a short while

a wonderful film! genius! mesmerizing! shocking. jaw dropping. and totally wacky and confusing and one i will have to revisit very, very soon. i loved that it was a romantic comedy, mixed with psychological existentialism i didn't even think that was possible!

another addition my my top 50 favorite movies list!

loved it. want it, need it, demand it on blu now.
and to see this got negative reviews on RT and metacritic? once again shows just how worthless and wrong those websites usually are. a shame it took me this long to see this. Tom Cruise gives another terrific performance, along with Penelope Cruz (who i usually can't stand) and Cameron Diaz.


highly recommended!

5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

That makes us the NARROW ones.

Hey, just because someone is 7 foot tall, that doesnt make a 6'6"er short.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

That was completely warranted in The Road. The entire movie was dark, bleak, and depressing. The film was purposely made very hard to endure, and that certainly helped and fit in perfectly. My whole problem with The Mist ending was

[Show spoiler]the sudden change in attitude and character and the abandonment of heroics.

Great example btw. I have pointed this out before (The Road/Mist comparison) when discussing The Mist ending.

I didnt see it as abandonment of heroics though, (nice wording BTW) I saw it as "Running out of heroic options". Like his bag of tricks was finally empty.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Hey Diesel, I love Michael Bay's films as well You gotta see Bad Boys 2 and Pearl Harbor, get on that foo!! Pearl looks and sounds great, and I can't wait for Bad Boys 2 to get the blu treatment.

Uh oh. I have to break our frindship.

[Show spoiler]