The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I think you'll like them a lot

And you gotta mix it up man At times, I'll end up watching a few slower, critically acclaimed films in a row and then I gotta switch it up and throw in a comedy or an action flick. After I watched a few Criterions recently, I got home from the bar and was gonna throw on something serious, but I was in a pretty comedic mood. I needed some Super Troopers therapy Do you ever have moods for certain genres or do you generally end up trying to watch to a lot of the greats and/or recommended ones out there?

oh yeah. usually not for too long. like, some days i'll wake up and just be in the mood for something real particular. like last night (or was it 2 nights ago now?) i was in the mood for The Thin Red Line, whereas a few days i just wanted to sit back and laugh and wanted dumb, raunchy laughter so i watched Superbad and Sex Drive, two films i love

but i usually try to even it out. i'll watch a few guilty pleasure, "simple" movies or ones i've seen numerous times that i don't really have to focus 100% on, but then i'll even that out by watching a few films i haven't seen yet and try to make them "important / classic" films. sometimes if i go too long watching films i've already seen i feel like i'm wasting time and missing out, but other times (mainly with friends) i just want to sit back and enjoy and not really think about anything too deep or complex.

I know it's hard to get to some of these, being that we're the young f*cks who got all this catchin up to do

yep. i used to be in to nothing but comedies and select action films so by the time i got into dramas, foreign films, and more complex films, i was already behind the 8-ball.

it also didn't help i spent every day for 3 years with Fight Club that killed a whole bunch of time.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

What, you don't want to give those acid spiders and the giant AT-AT Walker creature a shot?

that does sound like boatloads of fun, but i'll have to pass

[iam1bearcat]

Closer

while i've been on here chatting with you folks, the girlfriend was busy watching Closer. i'm in the same room, but way over in the corner at my desk "working" this was her first time seeing the film, while i've seen it about 5 times already.

about 30 minutes in she pauses the movie, turns to me and says, "wtf. you want to own this? this is so depressing. how can you like this? good thing you own some fun movies because otherwise i'd think you're super f***ing depressed" little does she know we're watching Requiem for a Dream soon

when the movie ended she said she "kind of" liked it, but could do without watching it again.

i personally LOVE the movie. the relationships, the selfishness, the cold, cruel workings of four very different people who seem to act the same in their relationships. Natalie Portman is terrific, and so is Clive Owen. and this was his big break out role i believe, and he does a phenomenal job. one scene in particular between he and Julia Roberts stands out immensely. as does his scene with Natalie Portman in

[Show spoiler]the strip club.

even Jude Law doesn't miss a beat here.

the writing, the characters, the story is all brutally honest and real. it's not really a fun film to watch from a story perspective, but fun to see great performances all around. and Portman looks gorgeous in the film which never hurts

it's not a perfect film, and it certainly doesn't end with a great big "closure", because just like life, it goes on, and this is just a snapshot of these people's lives intertwining for a bit. will pick it up on BD eventually.

i highly recommend it but because some may find the language, and story hard to take, i'd suggest a rental first.

4.5/5

[tbizzle]

I love Closer! Now we gotta get Surf to watch it again

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I love Closer! Now we gotta get Surf to watch it again

agreed! i don't know what he's said about it. all i know is he said, "YUUUUCK!" when he saw that i rented it. so i know he's seen it (or seen pieces of it for such a response) and now i just wanna know why

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]oh yeah. usually not for too long. like, some days i'll wake up and just be in the mood for something real particular. like last night (or was it 2 nights ago now?) i was in the mood for The Thin Red Line, whereas a few days i just wanted to sit back and laugh and wanted dumb, raunchy laughter so i watched Superbad and Sex Drive, two films i love

but i usually try to even it out. i'll watch a few guilty pleasure, "simple" movies or ones i've seen numerous times that i don't really have to focus 100% on, but then i'll even that out by watching a few films i haven't seen yet and try to make them "important / classic" films. sometimes if i go too long watching films i've already seen i feel like i'm wasting time and missing out, but other times (mainly with friends) i just want to sit back and enjoy and not really think about anything too deep or complex.



yep. i used to be in to nothing but comedies and select action films so by the time i got into dramas, foreign films, and more complex films, i was already behind the 8-ball.

it also didn't help i spent every day for 3 years with Fight Club that killed a whole bunch of time.

That's ridiculous, my buddy does that as well. He watched The Dark Knight once or twice every night for 6 months and now he hasn't seen it for well over a year because he ruined it for himself. He can watch a film over and over again, whereas I'm the complete. I generally don't watch my favorite films more than once or twice a year.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

That's ridiculous, my buddy does that as well. He watched The Dark Knight once or twice every night for 6 months and now he hasn't seen it for well over a year because he ruined it for himself. He can watch a film over and over again, whereas I'm the complete. I generally don't watch my favorite films more than once or twice a year.

yeah, i was a tad (just a tad ) obsessed with it. i told everyone about it and then everyone came over and watched it and i had like, 5 posters and i have all 3 DVD editions and the blu now. i almost had the entire film memorized (or maybe i did, can't remember :laugh), but i can't tell you the last time i watched it. probably a few months ago? i probably won't watch it again for another month or so, but we'll see.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

yeah, i was a tad (just a tad ) obsessed with it. i told everyone about it and then everyone came over and watched it and i had like, 5 posters and i have all 3 DVD editions and the blu now. i almost had the entire film memorized (or maybe i did, can't remember :laugh), but i can't tell you the last time i watched it. probably a few months ago? i probably won't watch it again for another month or so, but we'll see.

Haha I could never do that. Btw, check out my gallery. Pics are old but you'll like one of my posters Also, I'd recommend putting it off for a little longer, it will definitely be more impactful upon your next viewing.

It's funny because I'll have one of my favorite films, one that I've watched since I was a kid and know very well, and I'll let my buddy borrow it. Then he plays the sh!t out of it over the next few days and we'll discuss it the next time I see him. Then he'll bring up a certain part and for the life of me, I just can't remember it. I'm like wtf, you borrowed this film a few days ago and now you know it better than I do!?

[tbizzle]

Have a good night bro, I'm out

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

"wtf. you want to own this? this is so depressing. how can you like this? good thing you own some fun movies because otherwise i'd think you're super f***ing depressed" little does she know we're watching Requiem for a Dream soon

You are mean. haha.

I've wanted to check out Closer but I can't stand Julia Roberts.

btw speaking of gf's, my gf is attending Sundance next January and was assigned Mysterious Skin to watch beforehand (JGL movie). She called me earlier saying she probably won't sleep tonight because it was so disturbing. The synopsis puts it lightly apparently. She said it even exceeds its R rating, then realized it's "not rated".

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Kick-Ass

after dinner the girl and i wanted to watch something entertaining and new that we hadn't seen yet, and sitting on my "pending approval" sat my copy of Kick-Ass. stickers till on the slipcover. digital copy still not used. blu-ray only removed from case once the night i bought it in august. so might as well watch it finally and decide if i'm keeping it or not, right?

well, once it ended, and actually before it ended, i knew i wouldn't be keeping it. Kick-Ass has some good moments and good pieces, but overall it just left me very

+ the super "ultra violence" (see what i did there? ) gore, action and chaos was great fun. lots of laughs, "holy ***!" moments and some (but not always) awesome music go along with it. the girl found it "ridiculously cheesy" at times, but i enjoyed the bloody fun kills

+ the very attractive Lyndsy Fonseca. too bad she didn't get more screen time, and we all got stuck watching McLovin in a leather red suit with a Madonna wig

+ the soundtrack. i'd say it was 85% awesome / genius. really added to the film and certain scenes. i felt it was the best part of the film actually.

+ Nicolas Cage i tend to enjoy all of Cage's work / roles (aside from a few certain films ) and i enjoyed him here. but again, wish he had more screen time.

i also felt the film was way too long, the story was something we've seen six million times and no amount of bloody good kills can make up for that, and the acting by Aaron Johnson was mediocre at best. i understand it was his first major role, but he was written as a mix between Michael Cera & Jesse Eisenberg, but not nearly as commanding, quirky or awkward as those two.

and a question to those who are big fans of the film (foggy, i'm looking in your direction )

[Show spoiler]is Red Mist now "Orange Mist"? and i'm guessing he's going to be the main villain for the sequel (which seems like a terrible idea unless they go in a more comedic route than action / serious route). but is he Orange Mist now? he can't be Red Mist if he's dressed in all orange. can he?

PQ: 4/5
AQ: 4/5

Kick-Ass was fun to watch once, but it's not really my type of film, aside from about 5-6 scenes i was pretty bored and uninterested, didn't care what happened to any of the characters (even though i liked Big Daddy best, when

[Show spoiler]he died, i didn't really care

) and couldn't wait for it to end so i could watch something i liked. worth a rental if you've got nothing else you really want to see.

2.5/5

First of all And secondly,

[Show spoiler]I believe Red Mist is going under the new alias of MotherF**ker and has a russian sidekick in the comic sequel

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'll have to fight harder next time!

To quote the movie "But Batman has all the expensive shit no one else can afford"

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i don't know which he'll hate worse: that i watched it and disliked it, or that you don't even want to see it?

don't worry, you're are both pretty low on my 'to kill' list so you've got a good few months to redeem yourselves

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Vanilla Sky


5/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I've never seen it. I heard it has the most atrocious acting by Cruise though.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You bet. I've always wanted to see it and love Penelope. In case you're wondering, what I heard was that it was the most "flavorless", bland and generally terrible performance he has ever seen and a prime example of Tom Cruise's "bad acting" reputation. He uses it as an example every time we joke about bad acting. But I will take up your suggestion and give it a view with an open mind.

say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

Cruse has a bad acting reputation? I must have missed that memo. I couldn't disagree with your friend more. He's my favorite active actor. He doesn't seem to be a fan of Cruise, which is fine, but suggesting he has some bad reputation (like a Keanu Reeves) is just not accurate, IMO. Of course, I'll openly admit I'm 100% biased, as I'm a huge Cruise fan and of his performance in Vanilla Sky, which is an all time favorite of mine. There are parts where his performance is eccentric, but his character and the script requires it.

Here is my take on the bad rep Vanilla Sky gets: its definitely a film you have to 100% invest in, maybe 2+ viewings. Some people (not directing this at your friend necessarily. The film is pretty polarizing, with a big chunk not liking it) don't want to invest that, so (like 2001-type films) are frustrated when they don't "get it" on a first viewing, and will put the blame somewhere.

my 2 cents

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Deadset

Just watched: How to Train Your Dragon (again)

I liked it more the 2nd time. There are a few parts where you can tell the lead is just reading the script without much soul to it...but overall it was extremely well done.

4.5/5

Next Family movie night will probably be Dragon Hunters.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I think it was more like he suddenly did not have a bag to reach in anymore.

If you want to see a bag of tricks running empty, watch The Road. That's desperation. The Mist ending was more of a cheap thrill for effect. That level of desperation should only be found at the end of the world, not the bottom of a gas tank. To equate the two is absurd.

I honestly believe that the film tried to depict that the characters believed it WAS the end of the world, hence the extreme decision. Now, if that attempt failed in your eyes, thats fine, but I think thats what Darabont was aiming for. The characters thought it was all over.

And I certainly cant agree with the comparison to The Road. If you truly believe that one should never give up, then that holds true for Viggos character as well.

[Show spoiler]One day a big wind could arrive and the sun could peek through. With the sun comes the possibility (probability) of plantlife, and with that the ability to raise livestock and fish. He is only one man, just like Janes character, in one small geographic location at a time. He only knows what is in his immediate surroundings. With telecommunications destroyed (both films) they are left with only their own imagination, paranoia, fear, faith and strengths.

Another reason The Road is not a fair comparison is the "villain". Viggo is up against a villain he completely understands. He understands their motives, their thinking, their strategies etc. More importanly, he knows exactly what it takes to defeat his villain. Additionally, he is of equal physical prowess (for all intents and purposes) in a one-on-one duel. There are no mysteries to weigh upon him psychologically. He continues to find food, so it's conceivable that he may also find weapons and ammo one day.

Janes character however, is up against a wide variety of enemies, none of which he has ANY understanding, and all of which appear to be vastly superior killing machines.

I think if we are setting a standard for appropriate post apocolyptic parental behavior, then it most certainly should apply to both characters equally.

[lDlisturb3d]

So Yesterday was a wild ride. I saw Evil Dead 3.5/5, and Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus -5/5 but its so BAD its GOOD. Weird day. I finally finished with RED and it was entertaining. 3.5/5. Im really not in the mood to give a full review for these types of movies. I wanna watch Evil Dead 2 now just to see the hype.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Dudes, I'm a Blu-ray Samurai. How badass is that?

Ha im right with you bro. HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! Im actually the "Shogun Assassin"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Haha I could never do that. Btw, check out my gallery. Pics are old but you'll like one of my posters Also, I'd recommend putting it off for a little longer, it will definitely be more impactful upon your next viewing.

haha nice! love the Deftones one as well. probably my favorite album are, but one of their weaker albums imo. but also nice to know there are Deftones fans still out there

It's funny because I'll have one of my favorite films, one that I've watched since I was a kid and know very well, and I'll let my buddy borrow it. Then he plays the sh!t out of it over the next few days and we'll discuss it the next time I see him. Then he'll bring up a certain part and for the life of me, I just can't remember it. I'm like wtf, you borrowed this film a few days ago and now you know it better than I do!?

i have the exact same thing happen! and i feel terrible for it. i'm like, "this is one of my favorites, i've watched it quite a few times, and i can't remember it, but this shmuck can? (no Diesel, this is not the same "shmuck" as Squid referred to you as ) so then i'd want to go run and watch it so i can remember everything again

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Have a good night bro, I'm out

ironically enough i passed out before i was able to say i was out