The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I thought the nonlinear storytelling was executed flawlessly, as the present and past each advanced simultaneously. It was very coherent. I dont always enjoy the simplicity of starting at "Point A" and then progressing to "Point B" followed by "Point C". Becomes a bit stale for me.

Right. In no way shape or form were the flashbacks sloppy.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

______

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Town (movie theater)


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)

[Show spoiler]For someone who used to be mere tabloid fodder and was harshly criticized, Ben Affleck has come a long way. He's proven in the past to be a solid writer (Oscar win) and that continues here. He's also shown in his past two films that he's a fantastic director and is someone to watch in the years to come. I can honestly see potential Oscars for him if he continues on this path, although I'm not sure what kind of directorial range he'll have. The Town also shows that he's a capable actor and this is his best performance.

The Town, quite simply, is the best crime thriller since Heat, which is the best crime thriller ever. The Town is certainly not close to as good as Heat, but it's still an exceptional film. What sets this film apart is its pace and its focus on the characters and the emotions--this is a smartly written film that is most successful in its quiet moments. The acting across the board in this film in fantastic, with everyone (including Blake Lively, shockingly) putting in great performances. Jeremy Renner, for whatever reason, was criticized by some members on this site for getting a best actor Oscar nom for the Hurt Locker. While those criticisms were laughable considering how deserving he was of that nomination, he proves here again that he has the potential to be one of the better actors in the coming years. I think he has an outside shot at a best supporting actor nom.

In the end, this film better be one of the obnoxiously excessive 10 best picture noms, because it's extremely unlikely there will be 10 films better than it this year. I can also see a potential directing and writing nom, but who knows. Highly recommended.

this is still in theaters by you?! kinda surprising since it drops on blu pretty soon

[P@t_Mtl]

Hausu (House)

Year = 1977
Director = Nobuhiko Obayashi
Country = Japan
Actors = Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo

Probably the weirdest movie ever made (or very close to it). Is it a Drama? A comedy? A fantasy? Horror? Well believe it or not but all of these apply to Hausu and a few more as well. The story is rather simple to start with. A bunch of school girls decide to go and spend their vacation on a isolated house in the country which belong to the aunt of one of them. But from the get go, the style is strange and you are never quite sure if the director is laughing with you or at you or if he was actually very serious when he was making this movie I think it's a rather fun, entertaining movie to watch but I would not suggest that anyone blind buy this. Go for a rental first but seriously everyone should see this movie at least once, it's truly one of a kind

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Enjoy your squid-beating?

[Show spoiler]Don't you reply to this with a HTTYD review or I will Chewbacca your ass again!

LMAO at your spoiler DJ. LMAO...really.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Bingo

The daughter, in fact, is kind of annoying
....she's not as good as she was in Lost...or as nice to look at

Kind of? KIND OF? KIND OF?

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Kind of? KIND OF? KIND OF?

Kind of means the same thing as very right?

[Show spoiler]

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I think I gave it a 3.5/5 when I watched it back in May. It's in the One and Done Collection.

Cmon it was at least entertaining.

Originally Posted by dag

I really enjoyed this film. I could relate very easily to the characters; earlier in the decade both of my parents had to settle the estates of their deceased mothers.

What do we leave behind after we die? What do we take from those who have passed on? How important are material things to a sense of self, family, identity, memory, and the future? A very good film.

Nice i didnt think of it in that much detail. I will remember this the next time i watch the film.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

Critics liked it, so? Doesn't mean it was a good movie and I still have yet to meet somebody who liked it. Dunno, a similar movie to Taken was Man on Fire and I like that one a lot more, may even watch it on Monday.

I liked it bro. I thought the story was unique and well told.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It's polarizing because it won best picture, just like the Hurt Locker. That alone makes ppl want to hate on them, despite the fact that both are exceptionally well-made films.

I think of Polarizing as extreme opposites. Like The Fountain. 96 vs 93 and all very passionate in there stance. Thumbs WAY up or WAY down...no middle ground. Thats why I say that Slumdog isnt polarizing, lots of people were meh, or mild in their like or dislike.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Town (movie theater)


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)


For someone who used to be mere tabloid fodder and was harshly criticized, Ben Affleck has come a long way. He's proven in the past to be a solid writer (Oscar win) and that continues here. He's also shown in his past two films that he's a fantastic director and is someone to watch in the years to come. I can honestly see potential Oscars for him if he continues on this path, although I'm not sure what kind of directorial range he'll have. The Town also shows that he's a capable actor and this is his best performance.

The Town, quite simply, is the best crime thriller since Heat, which is the best crime thriller ever. The Town is certainly not close to as good as Heat, but it's still an exceptional film. What sets this film apart is its pace and its focus on the characters and the emotions--this is a smartly written film that is most successful in its quiet moments. The acting across the board in this film in fantastic, with everyone (including Blake Lively, shockingly) putting in great performances. Jeremy Renner, for whatever reason, was criticized by some members on this site for getting a best actor Oscar nom for the Hurt Locker. While those criticisms were laughable considering how deserving he was of that nomination, he proves here again that he has the potential to be one of the better actors in the coming years. I think he has an outside shot at a best supporting actor nom.

In the end, this film better be one of the obnoxiously excessive 10 best picture noms, because it's extremely unlikely there will be 10 films better than it this year. I can also see a potential directing and writing nom, but who knows. Highly recommended.

I got bashed by my friends when i said this movie was better than HEAT. Heat is good but it has allot of hype because of the starts. Not trying to take nothing away from Heat but i think The Town was better.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Cmon it was at least entertaining.

I didn't say I didn't like it

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Hausu (House)

Year = 1977
Director = Nobuhiko Obayashi
Country = Japan
Actors = Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo

Probably the weirdest movie ever made (or very close to it). Is it a Drama? A comedy? A fantasy? Horror? Well believe it or not but all of these apply to Hausu and a few more as well. The story is rather simple to start with. A bunch of school girls decide to go and spend their vacation on a isolated house in the country which belong to the aunt of one of them. But from the get go, the style is strange and you are never quite sure if the director is laughing with you or at you or if he was actually very serious when he was making this movie I think it's a rather fun, entertaining movie to watch but I would not suggest that anyone blind buy this. Go for a rental first but seriously everyone should see this movie at least once, it's truly one of a kind

Thanks for the review Pat. Now, get with the program please. How about a rating? And tell us about PQ and AQ as well.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I didn't say I didn't like it

Yeah but the score jk. Do you remember the ending. Silent killing, ill never forget that part of the flick.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Kind of means the same thing as very right?

[Show spoiler]

In this case it does. For sure. I was rooting for the bad guys.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thanks for the review Pat. Now, get with the program please. How about a rating? And tell us about PQ and AQ as well.

See I asked way before if there was rules......you guys have to tell me this stuff

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Yeah but the score jk. Do you remember the ending. Silent killing, ill never forget that part of the flick.

3.5 = I didn't like it very much but I didn't dislike it.


I liked the ending because I was soooo glad they didn't give us a

[Show spoiler]random happy ending after everything we had just watched.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

In this case it does. For sure. I was rooting for the bad guys.

You REALLY didn't like her






The 3rd movie in my Super Movie Saturday earlier today was National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

Previously reviewed:

Originally Posted by Diesel

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

I used to say this one wasn't as good as the first...but after rewatching it (back to back with the first one actually) I have to say that it is nearly all around better than the first one.

Where the first was funny, this one is funnier. Where the first one had exciting adventure, this one has adventure that is more exciting and fun.

The story this time is larger in scope as they travel to several places in Europe this time.

There are more historical inaccuracies here than the first, but again, I'm not watching this movie for a history lesson.

The main cast is once again solid, a little better this time. I agree with the review on this site, it seems like the returning actors have settled into their characters more for the sequel. Helen Miren is a nice addition to the cast and Ed Harris is a pretty good 'villain'.

Rating - 4.5/5

I'm currently on break from watching and am about to wrap up reading Craig Ferguson's autobiography.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

I got bashed by my friends when i said this movie was better than HEAT. Heat is good but it has allot of hype because of the starts. Not trying to take nothing away from Heat but i think The Town was better.

Heat is better on every conceivable level, but the Town is an excellent film. I can understand why you got bashed

[iam1bearcat]

Garden State (dvd)

year: 2004
director: zach braff
starring: zach braff (andrew largeman), natalie portman (sam), peter sarsgaard (mark), ian holm (gideon largeman)

currently it's my second favorite of 2004 (behind the exceptional Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)

for those who know zach braff from his hit tv series Scrubs, Garden State is a departure from his witty, fast paced, humorous character. a much more series, toned down character braff portrays here in a simple, but wonderful love story about a man who is unable to really showcase his emotions (because of medicine he is put on after a family tragedy that in essence is an accident) who meets a girl (Sam, played wonderfully by the awesome Natalie Portman) who is outgoing, care free, fun and displays full emotion in everything she does (not in a whorrish way though).

and let it be known that portman does a fantastic job here in a role that asks her to be lovable, doe-eyed, care free, spastic and fun in almost every scene. portman breathes life into every scene she is in. this role made her one of my favorite actresses.

they are complete opposites, but gel perfectly. and andrew tries to learn what it's like to feel and act like a regular person again after years of being subdued by medication.

the story centers around andrew largeman (braff) an actor from L.A. who comes home to the east coast after being away for a very long time due to a death in the family. while home for a few days, he spends time with old friends from high school. some of which he enjoys spending time with and others who make him glad he doesn't see them anymore.

for those of us (most of us) who have graduated school and run into people from school years later, you know how some of these interactions go. awkward hellos, useless "how are you's", and then awkward "well, see ya" goodbyes. and also, when you leave some place and come back, you learn things are never what they used to be.

a serious, somber tone fills the movie - acting wise, cinematography, and atmosphere wise. but the film also has some dark, quirky humor. many of the characters are wildly amusing and obnoxious (like they're supposed to be) and feel like real people.

after my tenth viewing many years back i was debating how far up on my favorites list Garden State would reach. for awhile it was #3 (it's highest point), but it was really pressing Fight Club there for #1 for awhile, but never quite dethroned the king. however, as the years have passed and i've seen better films (in no way is Garden State a masterpiece of film making) Garden State has fallen down the ladder of my top 30 Favorite movies list, but it still holds a special place in my heart and is still a favorite, even if it's placement isn't what it used to be.

Garden State also is memorable for being the first film soundtrack / score that i purchased. love every song on the album. very mellow, calm, quirky and mesmerizing. i listen to it at least once a week, even after six years, which is pretty damn impressive

a romantic comedy-dramady done excellently. highly recommended

* and for fans of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon (jim parsons) makes a cameo appearance here in a very funny role. and this is three years before that show was created, and his character is strikingly similar in a lot of ways. weird! but very good and funny

if that helps you rent the film, so be it

5/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

I will be honest with you, before release I was doubting weather even if I needed to buy it or not. (just like you now)
If it wasnt for beautiful Iron Pack, I probably might have skipped it.

But after buying it, I was blown away. Its just such a new experience after all this compter generated animation.

If you ask me which 2 titles are most worth owning on blu ray, I would say Avatar and Beauty And The Beast.

You just have the hots for Belle.

Seriously though, I know it's an excellent film and an excellent Blu-ray, but it's still not the type of animated movie that I like very much. If I was able to get it for $5 like somebody else did on here recently (getting the Target coupon early, price matching Fry's, and using the re-issued Disney coupon), then I wouldn't hesitate.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by killowertz

You just have the hots for Belle.

Seriously though, I know it's an excellent film and an excellent Blu-ray, but it's still not the type of animated movie that I like very much. If I was able to get it for $5 like somebody else did on here recently (getting the Target coupon early, price matching Fry's, and using the re-issued Disney coupon), then I wouldn't hesitate.