The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Winters Bone

Synopsis from Netflix:

In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has put the family home up as bond and has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it -- despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this film, but it just didnt knock my socks off like I hoped it would.

Acting is quite good. Casting was perfect. Pacing was fine. Directing was competent, as was the camera work and editing. The location, sets and "Look" of the film are spot on. Even the season of the year (the cusp of Winter, not Winter proper) helped.

The story is good and I cared about the characters, but it didnt feel bleek enough. It didnt feel as dark, depressing and hopeless as I think it was intended to.

I have no specific complaints because I just cant put my finger on any flaws.

Film 3.5/5
PQ 4/5 darn good
AQ 4/5 clean dialog

Oh, actually, there was one HUGE flaw in the very first scene. It didnt affect my opinion of the film, its just an accidentally hilarious continuity error. I'll spoiler tag it just in case, but it really has absolutely nothing to do with the story, plot or outcome.

[Show spoiler]The film opens with Ree in the yard hanging laundry on a rope clothesline to dry. But a light breeze is blowing and you can clearly see that every garment she pulls from the basket is already bone dry. She even "whips" a shirt to straighten it out and you can hear that dry "snap"

[iam1bearcat]

also, another question to those who have seen Antichrist:

[Show spoiler]was it the mothers fault the kid died? we learn that the kid had a problem with his feet and then we learn she put his shoes on the wrong feet. did this have something to do with the kid slipping off the window sill and falling to his death, or was it just because it was winter and covered in slippery snow / ice? but if it didn't, what was the point of showing us that she put his shoes on wrong? that she doesn't pay attention or something else? and does it have any similarities to the bible or anything like that?

in the link that Surf posted it didn't say anything about that so i don't know if it was just some odd addition to the story or if it has some symbolic meaning?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by robertee

Excellent review! I saw it a couple of years ago and it truly was an incredible movie. Wish there was a Region A blu of this This and City of God are my favorite movies from Brazil.

Me too. I feel like I can enjoy them more than other foreign films because they're the only foreign films I don't really need subtitles for.

Have you seen Carandiru?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Strange that the latest review is for Amores Perros after we talked about it recently.

True. It echoed our thoughts in the closing paragraph too

I think that movie merits more discussion.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

to bold part: awesome! like i said in the review, i was shaking typing it up. i didn't want to forget anything but i didn't want to give too much away. the complexities and layers of the film were great on so many levels. and i remember thinking during the film:

[Show spoiler]screw this. i wouldn't want to be a cop there! it's impossible to get anything done and NOT be corrupt somehow! (when the cops are talking to the tow truck driver and the car parts have been stolen)

i have City of God at #11 on my queue and it's looking more and more interesting to me as the films pass by

right now on my list, it could very well make my top 10. it's at least in the top 15. but i'm gonna give it a few days and let the film settle down before i actually try and roughly assign a number to it because right now i could throw it in the top 5 because of how awesome it was and how fresh it is in my mind. i'm also working on a top 200 list and i'm gonna actually try and put in order every film i've seen (580+)

That is nuts what you plan to do with every movie you've seen. For me, the movie either makes the list or doesn't. Then it is ranked from there. But mine is more of a gradual process which means it won't be done for a while. You seem to be pretty actively working on yours.

I almost want to say to hold off on City of God for now because you might want to compare the two too much during your viewing. But they're actually quite different anyway. Either way, you need to devote an entire day to this film. I don't want to hear "oh I've seen 5 movies today!" that day. This needs to be the only movie you have seen that day, ok?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

100% whole-heartedly disagree. There are objective aspects of cinema. For instance, The Godfather is objectively a great film and Marlon Brando is objectively a great actor. Subjectiveness comes into play when you argue the degree of greatness of something or when you rank films/actors/etc.

So, saying The Godfather is a greater film than Apocalypse Now is subjective. Saying they're both great films is objective. Saying Jolie's performance is good is objective. Saying it was the best performance of the year is subjective.

Filmmakers, critics and scholars introduced film studies as a science, thus generating the idea that movie opinions can be considered truth. But film is so versatile as an art form, there isn't much that cannot be argued one way or the other. Both social and literary connotations of certain films like The Godfather are always with high regard because it excels in everything we have used to define films. Believe it or not though, to say someone is wrong about their honest assessment of a film is a perspective. You can ground your argument on facts but if a performance failed to capture the viewer, that's not necessarily the viewer's fault. While I agree that Jolie's performance was great, what I don't agree with is that you're arguing that it is fact. When I see your assessment on a film and believe it to be true, I don't say "you are right" I say "I agree." Because objectivity is regardless of perspective or opinion. Facts are impenetrable to argument. Your claim was that Jolie's performance being fantastic is impenetrable to argument.

I know this subject has carried endless debate. Just giving my stance on it.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Get off the damn computer and pay attention to the facking film!!

Hey calm down bud. It was that great i had to say something right then and there.

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

Definitely considering getting this, the 50% off sale applies to in-store too, right?

Yes it applies in-store

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

there is 1 scene. it's not really shown. and some could say it's necessary for survival, not that that matters imo. i'd say it's about 25 seconds? inter-cut between other scenes. no blood or visuals though. if you want to know what type of animal it is or anything else, let me know.
are you forgetting the

[Show spoiler]bird scene when he's in the little cave thing? he punches that damn thing like 55 times. although we don't see it, we just hear it, but still, it's definitely not just something we see already dead or gross

and to everyone who has seen Antichrist, was i the only one that laughed hysterically when

[Show spoiler]the fox looks at him and says "chaos reigns" in almost Darth Vader type slow-mo voice?

i had to pause the film to calm down from laughing so hard. am i the only one that found that outrageously funny?

I forgot all about that scene with the

[Show spoiler]bird

but i didnt think that part was hilarious it creeped me the hell out. One could say it was cheezy but im a God Fearing man so anything demonic equally scares me (Even though it shouldn't because "GOD hasnt given us the spirit of fear" but it did)

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I was too lazy, but knew someone would do the honors.

Hey bro you are 3 days late. I been corrected that remark HA!!!!!

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

that could be. it was creepy, but i couldn't help but laugh. the gf was very "you're "
YES! exactly! i think the performance in Antichrist was scarier / better than the one in

[Show spoiler]Misery

, but it has been awhile since i've seen it so i can't say for sure.

I havent seen RR but i've seen

[Show spoiler]Misery

and this (Antichrist) makes it look like Shrek.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Filmmakers, critics and scholars introduced film studies as a science, thus generating the idea that movie opinions can be considered truth. But film is so versatile as an art form, there isn't much that cannot be argued one way or the other. Both social and literary connotations of certain films like The Godfather are always with high regard because it excels in everything we have used to define films. Believe it or not though, to say someone is wrong about their honest assessment of a film is a perspective. You can ground your argument on facts but if a performance failed to capture the viewer, that's not necessarily the viewer's fault. While I agree that Jolie's performance was great, what I don't agree with is that you're arguing that it is fact. When I see your assessment on a film and believe it to be true, I don't say "you are right" I say "I agree." Because objectivity is regardless of perspective or opinion. Facts are impenetrable to argument. Your claim was that Jolie's performance being fantastic is impenetrable to argument.

I know this subject has carried endless debate. Just giving my stance on it.

Totally agree. Well put.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Winters Bone

Synopsis from Netflix:

In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has put the family home up as bond and has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it -- despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this film, but it just didnt knock my socks off like I hoped it would.

Acting is quite good. Casting was perfect. Pacing was fine. Directing was competent, as was the camera work and editing. The location, sets and "Look" of the film are spot on. Even the season of the year (the cusp of Winter, not Winter proper) helped.

The story is good and I cared about the characters, but it didnt feel bleek enough. It didnt feel as dark, depressing and hopeless as I think it was intended to.

I have no specific complaints because I just cant put my finger on any flaws.

Film 3.5/5
PQ 4/5 darn good
AQ 4/5 clean dialog

Oh, actually, there was one HUGE flaw in the very first scene. It didnt affect my opinion of the film, its just an accidentally hilarious continuity error. I'll spoiler tag it just in case, but it really has absolutely nothing to do with the story, plot or outcome.

[Show spoiler]The film opens with Ree in the yard hanging laundry on a rope clothesline to dry. But a light breeze is blowing and you can clearly see that every garment she pulls from the basket is already bone dry. She even "whips" a shirt to straighten it out and you can hear that dry "snap"

I watched it a few nights ago and had, for the most part, the same reaction. I was very impressed with Jennifer Lawrence's performance, how old is she? she looks like she's about 16 or 17 in real life. It was an interesting movie but I also felt that I was not feeling the level of desperation that I was supposed to feel. One thing I had a bit of trouble with (and I guess it's a good thing) was understanding the mind-set or the action > reaction of these people. For example,

[Show spoiler]I could not understand why the sisters would need to beat the hell out of the Ree character simply because she would not stop looking for the Thump? character, which then was followed by a visit by Thump anyway???. Or why the one guy was willing to take guardianship of the teenage boy, but not the young girl?? Or why it was necessary to have Ree come along and actually get the proof of her father's death, yet it was absolutely necessary for Ree not to know where they went to get it???? Or why a father would put his family in that situation in the first place????

I guess if I understood the mind-set of these characters, It would mean I may be as ignorant and backwards as them!!?? At any rate, I would recommend a rental, but by no means a buy. As far as the flaw you point out,

[Show spoiler]The dry laundry didn't bother me as much as the fact that they had nothing to eat, yet were keeping the @$$hole father's expensive looking cowboy boots instead of selling them for food??!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

you know what would rock???

watching the movie AND being on blu-ray.com simultaneously!!

how?? either do a split window monitor, or have a blu-ray.com transparent-font only foreground screen, with teh film in the background!!

I do that already all the time. The movie's playing on the TV as I'm checking stuff out here!

Your way would be cool though. Maybe we could all get on BD-Live some day and chat...

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

in 15 mins of Antichrist in this is BEST cinematography i've ever seen. Holy crap.

That's the one I'm watching right now right this minute. It is gorgeous!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

also, another question to those who have seen Antichrist:

[Show spoiler]was it the mothers fault the kid died? we learn that the kid had a problem with his feet and then we learn she put his shoes on the wrong feet. did this have something to do with the kid slipping off the window sill and falling to his death, or was it just because it was winter and covered in slippery snow / ice? but if it didn't, what was the point of showing us that she put his shoes on wrong? that she doesn't pay attention or something else? and does it have any similarities to the bible or anything like that?

in the link that Surf posted it didn't say anything about that so i don't know if it was just some odd addition to the story or if it has some symbolic meaning?

I think there are two questions here...

[Show spoiler]

(1) is she to blame?

(2) should she be to blame?

I think the answer is yes to (1), but that's the whole point of the film : we wholesale condemn women as the source of all evil and darkness in the world, because our judeo-christian tradition (from which western society is built) says so.

The director is saying: the answer is yes to (1), but he's also saying that's effed up. THe problem isn't women, the problem is the system that arbitrarily labelled women as the gateway of sin into our world. (Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve. Eve effed up and picked the fruit, hence opened up sin onto the world. Adam was great and wasn't tempted like EVe! If only that dummy Eve wouldn't have been such a dumb #$*#$, we'd be sinfree!! <-- that's the attitude the director is attacking. he's saying "eff all that crap. women are no more to blame for stuff than men are. they bring all this guilt on themselves b/c society tells them they must")

Hence, why the answer to (2) should be No, IMO. question (2) is a much deeper theme. remember, its not just the chick in teh film, but ALL WOMEN. she's just a symbol.

I'll need to watch this again!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

That is nuts what you plan to do with every movie you've seen. For me, the movie either makes the list or doesn't. Then it is ranked from there. But mine is more of a gradual process which means it won't be done for a while. You seem to be pretty actively working on yours.

that's a great way of rationalizing and doing it. i think i might actually do that. what i was first doing was having categories:

"loved it / know it's a favorite" / "enjoyed it" / "meh" / and then "hated it, abysmal, a terrible film" and then once i had all the films in one of those categories, then figure out the order of each and then connect once it was done, but it's been difficult. but i think i'm gonna try your process. i'm pretty positive there hasn't even been 250 films that i feel would make the list to be honest when i was younger i watched a lot of (what i feel now) are crappy movies that i know i'll never watch again, so we'll see what i comes up with. but i can guarantee you i could go through the list (in alphabetical order) and pick out what would be on it. that's easy. it's the "what do i like more / less than this?" that will take time.

I almost want to say to hold off on City of God for now because you might want to compare the two too much during your viewing. But they're actually quite different anyway. Either way, you need to devote an entire day to this film. I don't want to hear "oh I've seen 5 movies today!" that day. This needs to be the only movie you have seen that day, ok?

i'll move it down in the queue so it doesn't mush together with other recent films that might relate (visually, story, or anything else wise) to it and i'll make sure that's a film that gets a day to itself.

i usually try to watch as much as possible because i feel i have so much catching up to do with all the films out there that i usually try to pack in as many as possible i have the ability to kind of of have a "clean slate" after one film and then starting another and then going back later and thinking about it. but for City of God that'll get it's own day, i promise

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I think there are two questions here...

[Show spoiler]

(1) is she to blame?

(2) should she be to blame?

I think the answer is yes to (1), but that's the whole point of the film : we wholesale condemn women as the source of all evil and darkness in the world, because our judeo-christian tradition (from which western society is built) says so.

The director is saying: the answer is yes to (1), but he's also saying that's effed up. THe problem isn't women, the problem is the system that arbitrarily labelled women as the gateway of sin into our world. (Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve. Eve effed up and picked the fruit, hence opened up sin onto the world. Adam was great and wasn't tempted like EVe! If only that dummy Eve wouldn't have been such a dumb #$*#$, we'd be sinfree!! <-- that's the attitude the director is attacking. he's saying "eff all that crap. women are no more to blame for stuff than men are. they bring all this guilt on themselves b/c society tells them they must")

Hence, why the answer to (2) should be No, IMO. question (2) is a much deeper theme. remember, its not just the chick in teh film, but ALL WOMEN. she's just a symbol.

I'll need to watch this again!

same! it's amazing how during the first half i was like, "okay. once this is done, this is DONE and that is that." and now here we are dissecting like, looking for clues and themes and similarities to other work (the Bible) and how it all connects and what it means. usually that means it's a film that i will end up loving over time. and i never would have thought that in a million years during the first half of the film!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i usually try to watch as much as possible because i feel i have so much catching up to do with all the films out there that i usually try to pack in as many as possible i have the ability to kind of of have a "clean slate" after one film and then starting another and then going back later and thinking about it. but for City of God that'll get it's own day, i promise

what could be possibly comparable to City of God??

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

same! it's amazing how during the first half i was like, "okay. once this is done, this is DONE and that is that." and now here we are dissecting like, looking for clues and themes and similarities to other work (the Bible) and how it all connects and what it means. usually that means it's a film that i will end up loving over time. and i never would have thought that in a million years during the first half of the film!

concur 10000000%!!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Sin Nombre (netflix instant)

year: 2009
director: Cary Fukunaga
starring: Edgar Flores (Willy / "Casper"), Kristian Ferrer (Smiley), Paulina Gaitan (Sayra)

plot summary: a teenager (Casper) brings a young boy (Smiley) into his gang, El Mara, to teach him the ropes. but when the leader of El Mara finally pushes Casper to the breaking point, how far is he willing to go, knowing his life is on the line?

the film follows Casper and Smiley as the two main characters in this fantastic foreign drama. for 90 minutes it packs a lot of punch and while not necessarily a hyper active action, intense film, there are quite a few moments that had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation Sin Nombre does this excellently. something most common drama / thrillers don't do well at all.

as to be pretty much expected of foreign films the directing, the performances, the atmosphere, cinematography and themes are all A+ across the board. the atmosphere and cinematography especially are absolutely spectacular! and even on netflix instant it looks gorgeous, i would love to see this on blu-ray

the realistic feel of the film alone is something Hollywood imo never gets right in 90% of its films. sure, some films feel real (Training Day, Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now) but there's something about the feel of foreign films that are just more gritty and real. it's not about over the top characters or explosions, it's about people, the places and the story. and Sin Nombre excels that that. just like Elite Squad, The Lives of Others and Revanche do in their respective films.

it's an easy film to give a score to, and that was before the terrific ending:

[Show spoiler]i LOVED the show down between Smiley and Casper and was really wondering if Smiley was going to kill him or if he was just saying that. but man! he shoots him 3 times! that kid definitely meant business and was not kidding around just to save his own life (i believe, because if he killed him just to save himself, he could have just shot him once, not 3 times)

i just wish it would have been a bit more drawn out. after all that build up it was over relatively quickly but that's just a minor nitpick.

i watched Sin Nombre with the gf and some friends and after it ended we had an interesting discussion about what some films show us from their characters / situations. nothing gruesome so to speak, but we actually had 2 people leave the room and refuse to watch the movie because one of the story lines was about

[Show spoiler]illegal immigrants trying to sneak in to the United States

. after the film ended we had a discussion about being open to watching different types of films. without making this a debate that is off topic i will say that i stand firmly on one side of the discussion, the one that dislikes what the characters were doing, but i had no issue watching the movie i even have a friend who won't watch Final Destination because he's a big believer in faith and "the devil isn't in control of that, that's nonsense" and within 2 minutes of watching the film and him reading the back cover of the dvd, he demanded we turn it off!

i personally have no issue WATCHING A FILM that has situations / themes maybe i don't believe in or accept or like, but it's a film. yes, some films are fantasy, but then there are also films that show real life in a very realistic manner, like Sin Nombre. just because i may not like or agree with someone characters are doing in a film doesn't mean i won't watch it. but i was surprised as fudge that some of our friends actually left! i personally think that's nonsense, but to each their own i guess.

is it another edition to my top 50 Favorite Films? eh, maybe? but it's definitely in the top 100 somewhere. and if this would come out in a U.S. release i would pick this up asap highly recommended.

5/5

You're welcome for the recommendation

Btw, it is still the best looking upscaled dvd I've seen.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

what could be possibly comparable to City of God??

i honestly can't remember i think it was something about Elite Squad and being filmed in the same general area and maybe having the same feel - atmosphere and cinematography wise? but again, i'm not exactly positive

Originally Posted by surfdude12

concur 10000000%!!!

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You're welcome for the recommendation

Btw, it is still the best looking upscaled dvd I've seen.

sorry i forgot to thank you i couldn't remember who recommended what.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i honestly can't remember i think it was something about Elite Squad and being filmed in the same general area and maybe having the same feel - atmosphere and cinematography wise? but again, i'm not exactly positive







sorry i forgot to thank you i couldn't remember who recommended what.

I'm recommending The Killer Inside Me, buy it now and watch it tonight, one of the best surprises for me of 2010 for sure.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i honestly can't remember i think it was something about Elite Squad and being filmed in the same general area and maybe having the same feel - atmosphere and cinematography wise? but again, i'm not exactly positive

Elite Squad just became super-urgent to watch in that case!!

I've been debating buying the City of God canadian blu forever, but I guess i'll wait. The transfer looks B-grade.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You're welcome! I told you that was an impressive lineup.

It's one of the best of its genre. I loved your review because it reflects the incredible amount of energy in the movie. So intense and thrilling at every frame. Its depiction of crime and corruption on the streets of Rio is absolutely perfect in execution imo. Its exposure of reality is simply engrossing and blows you away in a way only movies like Pulp Fiction and City of God can do.

It's currently at #103 in my tentative top 250 but that can change drastically by the time I release the list.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

what could be possibly comparable to City of God??

yep, it was Elite Squad i'm sure what Method said above (that i underlined) will certain make your eyes pop