The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

For everyone that enjoyed Frozen, this is on a different league. CHECK IT OUT if you haven't already..

The Descent

[Show spoiler]Director: Neil Marshall
Writer: Neil Marshall
Mains: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza and Alex Reid

"One Hell of a Horror flick"

Plot (IMDb): A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.

My Take: Ok i haven't been this scared in a while. This movie is amazing. I have to take my hat off to the director for filming this movie inside a cave to begin with. Im not a huge horror fan, i typically don't like being scared but this movie did its justice. I intense survival flick without the over the top entertainment. Everything felt right and i loved the ending. Warning if you're claustrophobic STAY AWAY. This film is almost like two separate horror films. One half is the fear of caving, and the second half just adds on to the horror with these mystery beast. The acting isn't that bad, the story really makes up for its holes.

Conclusion: I cant think of a better horror film to recommend. I know that everyone will react to horror films differently but this one was pretty cool. The fact that its shot in a cave makes it unique in its own little way. The fear of being trap plus mystery beast.... It doesn't get any better than that for me. My final line is this is a nice little horror film that me and my wife enjoyed quite a bit. The ending to this flick is a hit or miss. You hate it or love it. I personally loved it, my wife hated it... This ending really bumped up the score for me at the end.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4.5/5

Note: PQ 4/5 Allot of dark scenes
AQ 4.5/5 Your surrounds are used quite a bit with ambient sounds, and the bass get intense at times.

I liked the film, but there was one thing that bugged a lot. In their first encounter, the creature ran crazy fast across the cavern and IIRC, it even slashed one of the women. At this point, it looked like they were up against a very formidable opponent. Every time after that, the creatures moved slowly and it was almost easy for the humans to fight them... that dropped my rating a lot. Other than that, I thought it was pretty well done.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

For everyone that enjoyed Frozen, this is on a different league. CHECK IT OUT if you haven't already..

The Descent

[Show spoiler]Director: Neil Marshall
Writer: Neil Marshall
Mains: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza and Alex Reid

"One Hell of a Horror flick"

Plot (IMDb): A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.

My Take: Ok i haven't been this scared in a while. This movie is amazing. I have to take my hat off to the director for filming this movie inside a cave to begin with. Im not a huge horror fan, i typically don't like being scared but this movie did its justice. I intense survival flick without the over the top entertainment. Everything felt right and i loved the ending. Warning if you're claustrophobic STAY AWAY. This film is almost like two separate horror films. One half is the fear of caving, and the second half just adds on to the horror with these mystery beast. The acting isn't that bad, the story really makes up for its holes.

Conclusion: I cant think of a better horror film to recommend. I know that everyone will react to horror films differently but this one was pretty cool. The fact that its shot in a cave makes it unique in its own little way. The fear of being trap plus mystery beast.... It doesn't get any better than that for me. My final line is this is a nice little horror film that me and my wife enjoyed quite a bit. The ending to this flick is a hit or miss. You hate it or love it. I personally loved it, my wife hated it... This ending really bumped up the score for me at the end.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4.5/5

Note: PQ 4/5 Allot of dark scenes
AQ 4.5/5 Your surrounds are used quite a bit with ambient sounds, and the bass get intense at times.

The ending of this movie blew me away.
I lived that nightmare with her and I really was in her skin at the end.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I liked the film, but there was one thing that bugged a lot. In their first encounter, the creature ran crazy fast across the cavern and IIRC, it even slashed one of the women. At this point, it looked like they were up against a very formidable opponent. Every time after that, the creatures moved slowly and it was almost easy for the humans to fight them... that dropped my rating a lot. Other than that, I thought it was pretty well done.

Yeah the intro to the beast made it seem impossible from them to fight back. I understand what you mean. Glad you still enjoyed it though.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

The ending of this movie blew me away.
I lived that nightmare with her and I really was in her skin at the end.

I loved that ending too. One of the better endings i've seen. I dont know why people dont talk about the ending much.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I enjoyed reading your review, despite my far less enthusiastic review.

[Show spoiler]I completely agree with you about the multiple viewings. I feel like I'll rate it higher upon subsequent viewings, although the critics seem to disagree on that point stating its effect is highest upon the first viewing. I'm definitely an Aronofsky fan, with The Fountain being my favorite film, Requiem for a Dream being a tremendous film I can't stomach again, The Wrestler being a solid film with a great performance. Haven't seen Pi yet.

Another note: Aronofsky gets top-notch performances out of his actors. Portman will win the Oscar. Rourke could've won for The Wrestler, although Penn was better. Jackman and Weisz both should've been nominated for The Fountain. Burnstyn, Leto and Connelly for Requiem. Enough said.

I enjoyed reading your thoughts as well. In fact, I agree with you on most points, but I found the sum of the parts brilliant. For instance, even though the cinematography isn’t award bait, it is very effective at keeping the audience unsettled. I think you would agree that although this type of camera work isn’t going to be hailed as groundbreaking by the masses, anything less would have diminished the effect.

The odd thing is that by all accounts my theatre experience should have been a bust. I was stuck sitting beside a group of middle-aged spinsters (I assume) who loudly gasped through-out the show, proclaiming “ Oh my word, I thought this was supposed to be a love story” . Come to think of it, I may have found some perverse joy in seeing them squirm; I could almost feel their skin crawling from a few seats away . All-in-all it may have enhanced my experience with this one .

[lDlisturb3d]

Transformers

Director: Michael Bay
Writers: Writers: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
Mains: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel

"Give me the cube boy!!!!!"

Plot (IMDb): An ancient struggle re-erupts on Earth between two extraterrestrial clans, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a young teenager.

My Take: I cant tell you how much i enjoyed this movie. Some like it some hate it but i love it. Its just a technical cool movie that has allot of replay value. Maybe im bias to the movie because of my home theater but i enjoy it allot none the less. The story is pretty solid and the action is top notch. The Production value of this film is pretty good too. Its just a fun movie that you can watch over and over. It has comedy, and i bit of dry drama..... Come on its Michael Bay, he does what he does best and that BLOW SHIT UP. Steven Spielberg said it best "Michael Bay was born to make this film"

Conclusions: You hate it or love it. It truly a interesting little action film (based of the cartoon) if you have a decent audio set up you'll appreciate it a little more. The bass and sfx are crazy. Seriously i know George Lucas creamed in his pants when he heard Transformers. Very good entertaining movie with allot of replay value.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4.5/5

Note: This blu is reference all the way 5/5 across the board for PQ and AQ. The AQ is retarded. You will see what im talking about

[lDlisturb3d]

Predators

Director: Nimród Antal
Writers: Alex Litvak and Michael Finch
Mains: Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne and Topher Grace

"This is their game their planet....."

Plot (IMDb): A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race known as Predators.

My Take: Im a huge fan of the Predator and i enjoyed this movie. It wasn't as good as the 1st one but it still makes a nice little Trilogy. What i liked most about the film was how they used some of the ideals from the original, kinda like a homage to the older classic. What i didnt like was the huge plot holes and the crappy acting, and the CGI that could of been completely avoided. Besides that i enjoyed it quite a bit.

Conclusion: Bigger, Meaner, Predators that want nothing but to hunt and kill you. This is a dangerous game they play and their here to win. I really enjoyed it but the weaknesses really brought the score of the film down. It still was pretty cool and im glad a bought it. Only the technical side this movie was great, you can hear the Predators everywhere. Good movie that i would recommend to any movie watcher.

RECOMMENDED for Fans

3.5/5

Note PQ and AQ are great 5/5 This is a good disc.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Hep

I enjoyed reading your thoughts as well. In fact, I agree with you on most points, but I found the sum of the parts brilliant. For instance, even though the cinematography isn’t award bait, it is very effective at keeping the audience unsettled. I think you would agree that although this type of camera work isn’t going to be hailed as groundbreaking by the masses, anything less would have diminished the effect.

The odd thing is that by all accounts my theatre experience should have been a bust. I was stuck sitting beside a group of middle-aged spinsters (I assume) who loudly gasped through-out the show, proclaiming “ Oh my word, I thought this was supposed to be a love story” . Come to think of it, I may have found some perverse joy in seeing them squirm; I could almost feel their skin crawling from a few seats away . All-in-all it may have enhanced my experience with this one .

haha yeah I get ya. My theater only had about 6 other people and I was with my parents and brother. I think you make an excellent point about the cinematography--it's extremely effective and conveys the mood of being unsettled perfectly. I truly think that like Atonement, this will be a film that I grow to like more and more despite my good but not great initial assessment.

[iam1bearcat]

FUNNY PEOPLE

Film #11

Year: 2009
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Genre: Drama & Comedy

What Made Me Want to See This? It’s a Judd Apatow film and seemed different

UNRATED VERSION (146 minutes)
If there’s one thing I have constantly heard about Funny People it’s that the film isn’t funny. And with that, apparently if the film isn’t funny, then that immediately makes it a giant bag of suckage. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. But, as much as I was enjoying Funny People for the very dark humor the film is filled with and the overall very serious tones the film has, the film has a number of flaws that brought down my overall enjoyment of the film, but I didn't find the film to be bad in any way. Maybe with future viewings I will appreciate it more, which will likely happen as when the gf and I and her parents sat down to watch Funny People tonight, I wasn’t expecting a two and a half hour trudge through a man’s life. Also, if I get the chance to listen to the commentary (which usually makes me appreciate a film a bit more, even a hated film) that will also help Funny People out.

I’m a big fan of Adam Sandler in serious roles (Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me) and he does a great job here. Almost too great. Some part of me believes that this is exactly how Sandler is in real life. A prick. A egotistical, “stay at least 10 feet away from me weirdo” kind of guy. Hell, maybe all comedians are like that. And maybe all celebrities are like that. They may not start that way, but once you’ve dealt with enough weirdos and obnoxious people I’m sure your perky “how gosh Hollywood is so awesome!” demeanor might change. But for George (Sandler) we pick up his life when he finds out he has a rare terminal health disorder and forms an odd friendship with a struggling comedian Ira (Rogen) who he hires to write him jokes for his performances. Almost as a way to maybe leave a cryptic legacy behind and make sure comedy goes on as it should (since we learn he dislikes a lot of what Ira does and how people act in this day and age) once he’s gone.

The film has massive amounts of humor, but they come in very dry and very dark territories. When George goes off about how soon he’ll be “gone” and people will only remember him when they watch his movies and forget their pathetic lives during that time, I laughed because it’s very much true. We watch films and listen to comedians to escape our lives, even if we like our lives. We never want to stay “there” forever.

But for every great scene, there was always something that chipped away at my enjoyment. Firstly, the length. I don’t know how much longer the Unrated Version is to the Theatrical, but man, at 146 minutes I felt that there was just too much here. This could very well be Apatow’s magnum opus and maybe in a weird way, every scene was needed. This is a slow moving film so jamming it down to 90 or 100 may have been hard to do without keeping the feel of the film intact, but as it stands now, 146 was way too much. I could see a lot of people not even bothering to finish the film because of this. Hell, my gf and her parents all fell asleep numerous times during the film. Was that from dinner or the movie itself and it’s slower pacing? No idea, but not a good sign for any type of film. But I was pretty invested in the film, even with the length.

My only other major issue is Seth Rogen. In The 40 Year-Old Virgin and Superbad he’s funny. Not hilarious. Not gut wrenchingly funny, but he’s solid at least. And here he’s great at times, but when he’s doing stand up or joking around. But as a serious actor? Oh man. I had a very hard time believing anything he tried to convey. Some scenes have him yelling seriously, and some he even has to try and cry and have tears. It looks like he’s hyperventilating while just getting out of a pool. It’s awful. If he ever wants to be a serious actor, he has a lot of work ahead of him. It also doesn’t help that he just looks goofy and his voice was made for comedy, not a serious role.

Right now, Funny People gets an “I like it” but it has the ability to move up. I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it over the next few days because of how serious, emotional and personal it is. It seems like a real documentary following a comedian around. At times it’s unreal with the great dialogue and experiences we witness. And who doesn’t love a shouting match between Eminem and Ray Ramano?! That was awesome and something I never thought I’d see. I thought I died and was in some weird waiting area between heaven and hell or something.

Recommendation: Medium (for now). Worth a rental for most even if I did love this.

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 4/5

Technical Score: 4/5
Enjoyment Level Score: 3.5/5 “liked it”

Final Verdict: 3.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Hep

Black Swan

A psychological thriller set in the world of ballet. Nina is a timid veteran dancer perfectly suited to play the White Swan in Swan Lake. This story is her decent into madness, a dormant psychosis surfacing while she succumbs to the Black Swan persona.

[Show spoiler]The driving force seems to be mother’s approval mixed with some sort of neurological ailment. The mother is the embodiment of those narcissistic child beauty pageant mothers who drive their children in a vain attempt to vicariously erase their own perceived failings (the mother in Douglas Coupland’s Miss Wyoming comes immediately to mind). Sexual and social repression is slowly stripped away by the production’s relentless/unorthodox director and a free spirited rookie dancer. All three characters become triggers for Nina’s delusions. As the repressed layers are slowly stripped away, the resulting stress activates Nina’s psychosis which manifests itself in unconscious hallucinations.

For anyone following my reviews, I am a big fan of movies with dark themes, so it should be no surprise that I think this is a perfectly executed piece of art. Movies with internal human conflict hold my attention far more than the typical popcorn fare (occasional guilty pleasures aside). Aronofsky is a proven master of this genre, and I can honestly say Black Swan resides at the pinnacle. He hints at a ridiculous number of character details (flaws and disorders) that will take multiple viewings to appreciate. As each detail is revealed, the metaphorical curtain is drawn back, further revealing a complex portrait of a tragic girl. This film is not to be missed.

5/5

Cant wait. His best yet Hep?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I like Barry Pepper, glad to see him poppin up here and there. Like Dandelion Dust in saved in my queue, I think the DVD is slated for release early next year.

Have you seen The Snow Walker? He's the lead. Its potent.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

FUNNY PEOPLE

[Show spoiler]Film #11

Year: 2009
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Genre: Drama & Comedy

What Made Me Want to See This? It’s a Judd Apatow film and seemed different

UNRATED VERSION (146 minutes)
If there’s one thing I have constantly heard about Funny People it’s that the film isn’t funny. And with that, apparently if the film isn’t funny, then that immediately makes it a giant bag of suckage. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. But, as much as I was enjoying Funny People for the very dark humor the film is filled with and the overall very serious tones the film has, the film has a number of flaws that brought down my overall enjoyment of the film, but I didn't find the film to be bad in any way. Maybe with future viewings I will appreciate it more, which will likely happen as when the gf and I and her parents sat down to watch Funny People tonight, I wasn’t expecting a two and a half hour trudge through a man’s life. Also, if I get the chance to listen to the commentary (which usually makes me appreciate a film a bit more, even a hated film) that will also help Funny People out.

I’m a big fan of Adam Sandler in serious roles (Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me) and he does a great job here. Almost too great. Some part of me believes that this is exactly how Sandler is in real life. A prick. A egotistical, “stay at least 10 feet away from me weirdo” kind of guy. Hell, maybe all comedians are like that. And maybe all celebrities are like that. They may not start that way, but once you’ve dealt with enough weirdos and obnoxious people I’m sure your perky “how gosh Hollywood is so awesome!” demeanor might change. But for George (Sandler) we pick up his life when he finds out he has a rare terminal health disorder and forms an odd friendship with a struggling comedian Ira (Rogen) who he hires to write him jokes for his performances. Almost as a way to maybe leave a cryptic legacy behind and make sure comedy goes on as it should (since we learn he dislikes a lot of what Ira does and how people act in this day and age) once he’s gone.

The film has massive amounts of humor, but they come in very dry and very dark territories. When George goes off about how soon he’ll be “gone” and people will only remember him when they watch his movies and forget their pathetic lives during that time, I laughed because it’s very much true. We watch films and listen to comedians to escape our lives, even if we like our lives. We never want to stay “there” forever.

But for every great scene, there was always something that chipped away at my enjoyment. Firstly, the length. I don’t know how much longer the Unrated Version is to the Theatrical, but man, at 146 minutes I felt that there was just too much here. This could very well be Apatow’s magnum opus and maybe in a weird way, every scene was needed. This is a slow moving film so jamming it down to 90 or 100 may have been hard to do without keeping the feel of the film intact, but as it stands now, 146 was way too much. I could see a lot of people not even bothering to finish the film because of this. Hell, my gf and her parents all fell asleep numerous times during the film. Was that from dinner or the movie itself and it’s slower pacing? No idea, but not a good sign for any type of film. But I was pretty invested in the film, even with the length.

My only other major issue is Seth Rogen. In The 40 Year-Old Virgin and Superbad he’s funny. Not hilarious. Not gut wrenchingly funny, but he’s solid at least. And here he’s great at times, but when he’s doing stand up or joking around. But as a serious actor? Oh man. I had a very hard time believing anything he tried to convey. Some scenes have him yelling seriously, and some he even has to try and cry and have tears. It looks like he’s hyperventilating while just getting out of a pool. It’s awful. If he ever wants to be a serious actor, he has a lot of work ahead of him. It also doesn’t help that he just looks goofy and his voice was made for comedy, not a serious role.

Right now, Funny People gets an “I like it” but it has the ability to move up. I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it over the next few days because of how serious, emotional and personal it is. It seems like a real documentary following a comedian around. At times it’s unreal with the great dialogue and experiences we witness. And who doesn’t love a shouting match between Eminem and Ray Ramano?! That was awesome and something I never thought I’d see. I thought I died and was in some weird waiting area between heaven and hell or something.

Recommendation: Medium (for now). Worth a rental for most even if I did love this.

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 4/5

Technical Score: 4/5
Enjoyment Level Score: 3.5/5 “liked it”

Final Verdict: 3.5/5

Close enough.

[Diesel]

First of all, Merry Christmas to you guys

Now...


Rambo: First Blood Part II

That's more like it

This is what I was expecting from this series. Not a

[Show spoiler] guy hiding in the woods and fighting off deputies from Nowheresville, USA because the Sheriff doesn't like people with long hair

It had some cheesy stuff, some ridiculous action and a Stallone in such good shape I think he could kill me with one hand. 80s action baby, 80s action

I liked the suit and tie guy with the army so much more than the sniveling sheriff of the first film.

[Show spoiler]I couldn't wait for Rambo to find him

I liked that we got to hear Rambo speak a little bit more and get into his mind more than in the first film.

I liked his bow.

The girl was cool, but

[Show spoiler]as soon as Rambo kissed her, I thought, "Yep, she's going to die now" but I didn't think it would happen THAT fast

I liked how bad*** he was in this one.


I really enjoyed this movie, it worked so much more for me than the first one. It was just a flat out enjoyable action movie with a little insight into the character of Rambo. Wouldn't buy it, but I'd watch it again

Rating - 4/5

[SquidPuppet]

Happy Holidays Everyone

[Marcus Wright]

Kung Fu Hastle.

This movies director has some sick imagination.
This is easily the most fun I had this year. This movie is flat out 90 minutes of non-stop action and killing laughter. Its that good. It is amaaaaaaaazing.!!!

If you enjoy Kung Fu movies, or another famous movie Shaolin Soccer this movie comes highly recommended.

Now I have to get this on blu tomorow to watch it again.

5/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Happy Holidays Everyone

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Kung Fu Hastle.

This movies director has some sick imagination.
This is easily the most fun I had this year. This movie is flat out 90 minutes of non-stop action and killing laughter. Its that good. It is amaaaaaaaazing.!!!

If you enjoy Kung Fu movies, or another famous movie Shaolin Soccer this movie comes highly recommended.

Now I have to get this on blu tomorow to watch it again.

5/5

Kung fu HASTLE?! Well, I guess the movie is quite a hassle...

Originally Posted by Diesel

First of all, Merry Christmas to you guys

Rambo: First Blood Part II

[Show spoiler]
That's more like it

This is what I was expecting from this series. Not a

[Show spoiler] guy hiding in the woods and fighting off deputies from Nowheresville, USA because the Sheriff doesn't like people with long hair

It had some cheesy stuff, some ridiculous action and a Stallone in such good shape I think he could kill me with one hand. 80s action baby, 80s action

I liked the suit and tie guy with the army so much more than the sniveling sheriff of the first film.

[Show spoiler]I couldn't wait for Rambo to find him

I liked that we got to hear Rambo speak a little bit more and get into his mind more than in the first film.

I liked his bow.

The girl was cool, but

[Show spoiler]as soon as Rambo kissed her, I thought, "Yep, she's going to die now" but I didn't think it would happen THAT fast

I liked how bad*** he was in this one.


I really enjoyed this movie, it worked so much more for me than the first one. It was just a flat out enjoyable action movie with a little insight into the character of Rambo. Wouldn't buy it, but I'd watch it again

Rating - 4/5

Sweet. I knew you'd like it better.

[KilloWertz]

Merry Christmas to everyone

[Show spoiler]but Diesel.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by killowertz

merry christmas to everyone

[Show spoiler]but diesel.

+1.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Cant wait. His best yet Hep?

Currently undecided. I have tended to put Requiem for a Dream at the top followed (very) closely by The Fountain and then The Wrestler (I haven't seen Pi or his others yet); I may have to give this some time and space, not to mention another viewing, to solidify my thoughts. I have a sneaking suspicion that this will trump the others on the strength of Natalie Portman's performance alone. At the end of the day, the ranking is not important, and says much more about our personal preferences rather than the actual quality of the movie. Given your personal life experiences, I doubt this one will topple The Fountain from your Aronofsky pyramid, but I think it is at least of equal quality.

Edit: oh ya, Happy Holidays all!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Sweet. I knew you'd like it better.

You called it

Originally Posted by killowertz

Merry Christmas to everyone

[Show spoiler]but Diesel.

[Show spoiler]