The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

"A Clockwork Orange"

[Show spoiler]

Another Kubrick movie I've learned a whole lot about through pop culture; I knew that the main character had extra-long eyelashes around one eye, drank drug-loaded milk, was "ultra-violent" and was subjected to horrible images with his eyes stuck open as a scientist-dude dripped water in 'em. I actually attempted renting this movie when I was 18 or 19 years old, but shut it off when I came to the gang-raping of the woman on stage. (I've always had a problem with watching rape. It's such a vicious crime.) However, over 10 years later, after just watching "2001", I had to revisit this movie. And I'm so glad I did! It was flippin' awesome! There were many times I sat there and just thought, "Wow!" at how well this movie was made. I thought it impossible to feel for a dude that had done what he'd done, but I did!

The movie opens with a close-up of a very young Malcom McDowell as Alex (whom I could recognize, but couldn't place. Never seen him young before!), drinking milk as the camera slowly pulls back to reveal that he is sitting in some rather odd surroundings; some kinda perverted room that's apparently a public place called a "milk bar". (However, later we come to a seemingly respectable woman's home to find that she has a gigantic (and I mean GIGANTIC) penis on a table, so I guess it's the "in thang" at this point in the "future", huh?) He's surrounded by his 3 "brothers", as he calls them through narration. Yes. He's the narrator. And a cynical one at that! After getting nicely loaded, they head out to beat a bum, knock the snot outta some hoodlums looking for the same "good time" that they are, and ending the evening by raping a woman in front of her husband as Alex sings "Singin' in the Rain". I think it's safe to say that these guys are jerks. They head back to the milk bar, where we find that Alex has a love for Beethoven. When one of his boys interupts the song with a rather rude raspberry, Alex whacks the crap outta his leg with his cane! Then he gets all poetic with him, and when dude retorts, Alex gets all gangsta and says "And I'll scrap anytime you say." His boy just slunk back into line! I was all, "Daaaaamn! Gangsta, gangsta!" A while later, after a few zany antics involving Alex's guidance councelor (?), who actually grabs his junk as they lay in bed together (very weird moment, to type the least) and then a rather hilarious threesome with a coupla chicks he picks up, he feels he has to physically put a coupla his boys back in line, and then takes them out for a drink and decides, for himself, that everything is back to normal. They go off to see their next victim, where Alex accidentally murders the woman with the giant penis I mentioned earlier. (Yeah, that was a little crazy.) This is when his boys decide to turn on him and leave him for the police.

Once behind bars, Alex hears of a treatment that'll get you outta prison after just 2 weeks. Naturally, he assumes he can fake his way through this, so he volunteers. When he hears that all he's gotta do is watch movies he is too excited to begin, just as I would be. At first he's all smiles, he used to do alotta this stuff for fun, y'know! But soon, he begins feeling ill due to some injections that they give him after meals. Of course he doesn't know this and cannot understand what is happening. All he knows is that he wants it to stop! Then they start playing Beethoven's "9th Symphony", which just sends this poor guy into an even bigger fit! Those subjecting him to this torture are surprised to find that this "vicious, young hoodlum" was familiar with this music, but decide to stick with it nonetheless. After the 2 weeks, Alex is placed onstage in front of several important people. They then have a man come out insult him, and just beat the tar outta this guy, who does nothing to defend himself! When he thinks to fight back, he becomes violently ill, to which everyone applauds and the angry man takes a bow and leaves the stage. Next, a nearly naked woman comes walking onto the stage. Alex tries to take advantage of the situation, but once again is stricken with extreme nausea. At this, he is declared "Cured!" and is released. This is where his real problems begin as several people take advantage of his new mindframe. Causing him to nearly kill himself!

This movie gripped my attention and never let go! I loved how he was reading the Bible and picturing himself as the "bad guys", as he appeared to be someone who was reading it to better himself to everybody else. I loved the loud-mouthed prison guard! I loved the way Alex talked, occasionally sounding all shakespeareian! I absolutely loved the character of Alex DeLarge! And I really loved the use of association and traumatic stress disorder! I'm goin' out and buyin' this one! Highly recommended!

5/5

I'm glad you liked it.

Kubrick is one of my favorite directors, but A Clockwork Orange isn't one that I will ever watch again. It just didn't do anything for me.

His films are generally things I want to own though. I would rank them:

2001: A Space Odyssey
The Shining

Lolita
Dr. Strangelove
Full Metal Jacket
The Killing

Paths of Glory
Eyes Wide Shut

Barry Lyndon
A Clockwork Orange

Haven't seen the others.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Ha!! Seriously now, did Sam go down on every studio "head" in 2009, in preparation for his big break out year of 2010? If it's that easy.....

Avatar
Terminator Salvation
Clash of the Titans

3 big turds. 3 roles in which he talks, walks, and acts exactly the same. I mean, i see no range in this guy (not that the roles really demanded it, but i digress). What am i missing?

Oh, and i want someone to get my joke. It's low hanging Squid fruit, but i'm proud of it.

What are you trying to say? That my humor is remedial? Dude, your being such a studio head.

[Monkey_Boy]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I'm glad you liked it.

Kubrick is one of my favorite directors, but A Clockwork Orange isn't one that I will ever watch again. It just didn't do anything for me.

His films are generally things I want to own though.

I have a habit of loving what others consider a director's most sub-par effort. "The Hudsucker Proxy" is my most favoritist Coen Bros'. movie ever, but everytime I bring it up, folks say, "I wasn't really into that one."

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

alas, i'm back again. Thanks for the concern fellas, life's been crazy busy lately but i've been stopping in here and there to stay current. Haven't seen many films lately, though i have a ton that i still need to post reviews on. Hopefully i'll get to see black swan soon... Finally.

:d

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

I have a habit of loving what others consider a director's most sub-par effort. "The Hudsucker Proxy" is my most favoritist Coen Bros'. movie ever, but everytime I bring it up, folks say, "I wasn't really into that one."

The Hudsucker Proxy was fantastic.

But I really disliked A Clockwork Orange.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Unforgiven - 1992

[Show spoiler]I saw this movie back in 92 or 93 or 94... I can't remember exactly. I don't remember anything about this movie, so I rented it.

For all the praise and Oscars that Unforgiven has gotten, I don't see it the same way. To me, it was an ok movie. I don't feel that Gene Hackman deserves an oscar for best supporting actor, and I don't feel that this movie deserves an oscar for best picture. I'm not saying that this movie is bad in any way. I just feel that it isn't a great movie. To me, it's a middle of the road movie that doesn't have a lot of drama or excitement to pull me in. There were some scenes that I really enjoyed, but they were few and far between. Maybe I'm not the biggest Western fan, but there have been a few Westerns out there that I've really like a lot.

The overall pace of the movie was a little slow at times, but that's probably due to Eastwood's directing style. It seems like all of his movies have a long, drawn out way of storytelling to them.

The PQ had a lot left to be desired for my taste... the day scenes were above average, but the night scenes had no crispness to them at all. At times I felt that I was watching the dvd version of Unforgiven.

AQ was pretty bad... but that's due to the fact that this blu-ray only received a 5.1 Dolby Digital treatment to it; same as the dvd version. It makes absolutely no sense to me why this blu-ray didn't at least have an LPCM track to it. After acclimating my ears to hi-def audio for the last year or so, when a non hi-def audio track pops up on a blu-ray, it really stands out.

PQ - 2.75/5
AQ - 1.5/5

Overall, I wasn't impressed with the movie, the PQ, or the AQ. The movie was just ok, the PQ was just ok, and the AQ was mediocre.

Overall - 2.5/5

I thought this was a very good movie. Sorry you didnt enjoy it. Remember the time the movie came out. What was its competition? You have to take all these things into consideration when it comes to the academy awards.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Diesel

No Country for Old Men

[Show spoiler]

• 2007 | R | 122 Minutes
  
  
• Directors: Coen Brothers
  
  
• Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin
  
  
• Crime | Drama | Mystery

What I knew going into this one: Tommy Lee Jones was in it; it's supposed to be really good.

A hunter (Brolin) stumbles upon the scene of a botched drug deal and finds a very large sum of money. The people who the money belongs to want it back and send a psychopathic 'retriever' (Bardem) after whoever has the money. Intersecting both of these characters' stories is that of a lawman (Jones) who is having trouble coping with the state that the world is in today and with his place in it.


I loved most of the film. Everything before

[Show spoiler]Bell leaves Moss's motel room

was great, 4.75 material. The remaining portion of the film after that, not quite as good. I didn't dislike the ending; it was kind of, "Wait, it's done??" at first. But I gave it some thought and once I got past it feeling sort of jarring, I feel it works.

[Show spoiler]His dreams

wraps up of the character and the film itself quite well when you really listen to what is said in that part and think about what it means in the context of what we've been presented over the last two hours.

I would have preferred it be less abrupt, but I'm assuming it was intentionally done that way.


The acting in the film by the three main guys is all great.

I loved Brolin in his role. He really made care about the guy and gave me a lead character that I really wanted to succeed. He was also pretty darn cool
When he

[Show spoiler]is abruptly murdered (off screen even!)

I was that that had just happened. Really, REALLY caught me off guard. What with his character and

[Show spoiler]the declaration he had made to Bardem's character I thought he would at least get to face off with him in some way in the traditional climax...but instead he went out off screen.

I haven't seen Tommy Lee Jones in all that many movies, but anytime I see him I tend to enjoy his performances (...oh right...Batman Forever...) and this one is no exception. He opens and closes the film very well with his voice over and then

[Show spoiler]his recounting of his dreams from the night before.

Javier Bardem was scary/creepy as hell in this film. He was fantastic the whole film and never had a moment of anything less than fantastic. His look, his voice, his composure in the film....


This is the fourth or fifth movie from 2007 among the ones I've been DVR'ing lately. It does not unseat Zodiac, but its high up there on my list for that year. Definitely in the top 10, but I don't know where because I don't have an order behind Zodiac. I am going to drop the score slightly because of the latter part of the movie not being as good as the rest, but it still gets a strong score and my recommendation if you haven't seen it.

Rating - 4.5/5

This is the best film yet they've made that i've viewed. Just saw True Grit and it really has COEN written all over it. Nice review

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

"A Clockwork Orange"

[Show spoiler]Another Kubrick movie I've learned a whole lot about through pop culture; I knew that the main character had extra-long eyelashes around one eye, drank drug-loaded milk, was "ultra-violent" and was subjected to horrible images with his eyes stuck open as a scientist-dude dripped water in 'em. I actually attempted renting this movie when I was 18 or 19 years old, but shut it off when I came to the gang-raping of the woman on stage. (I've always had a problem with watching rape. It's such a vicious crime.) However, over 10 years later, after just watching "2001", I had to revisit this movie. And I'm so glad I did! It was flippin' awesome! There were many times I sat there and just thought, "Wow!" at how well this movie was made. I thought it impossible to feel for a dude that had done what he'd done, but I did!

The movie opens with a close-up of a very young Malcom McDowell as Alex (whom I could recognize, but couldn't place. Never seen him young before!), drinking milk as the camera slowly pulls back to reveal that he is sitting in some rather odd surroundings; some kinda perverted room that's apparently a public place called a "milk bar". (However, later we come to a seemingly respectable woman's home to find that she has a gigantic (and I mean GIGANTIC) penis on a table, so I guess it's the "in thang" at this point in the "future", huh?) He's surrounded by his 3 "brothers", as he calls them through narration. Yes. He's the narrator. And a cynical one at that! After getting nicely loaded, they head out to beat a bum, knock the snot outta some hoodlums looking for the same "good time" that they are, and ending the evening by raping a woman in front of her husband as Alex sings "Singin' in the Rain". I think it's safe to say that these guys are jerks. They head back to the milk bar, where we find that Alex has a love for Beethoven. When one of his boys interupts the song with a rather rude raspberry, Alex whacks the crap outta his leg with his cane! Then he gets all poetic with him, and when dude retorts, Alex gets all gangsta and says "And I'll scrap anytime you say." His boy just slunk back into line! I was all, "Daaaaamn! Gangsta, gangsta!" A while later, after a few zany antics involving Alex's guidance councelor (?), who actually grabs his junk as they lay in bed together (very weird moment, to type the least) and then a rather hilarious threesome with a coupla chicks he picks up, he feels he has to physically put a coupla his boys back in line, and then takes them out for a drink and decides, for himself, that everything is back to normal. They go off to see their next victim, where Alex accidentally murders the woman with the giant penis I mentioned earlier. (Yeah, that was a little crazy.) This is when his boys decide to turn on him and leave him for the police.

Once behind bars, Alex hears of a treatment that'll get you outta prison after just 2 weeks. Naturally, he assumes he can fake his way through this, so he volunteers. When he hears that all he's gotta do is watch movies he is too excited to begin, just as I would be. At first he's all smiles, he used to do alotta this stuff for fun, y'know! But soon, he begins feeling ill due to some injections that they give him after meals. Of course he doesn't know this and cannot understand what is happening. All he knows is that he wants it to stop! Then they start playing Beethoven's "9th Symphony", which just sends this poor guy into an even bigger fit! Those subjecting him to this torture are surprised to find that this "vicious, young hoodlum" was familiar with this music, but decide to stick with it nonetheless. After the 2 weeks, Alex is placed onstage in front of several important people. They then have a man come out insult him, and just beat the tar outta this guy, who does nothing to defend himself! When he thinks to fight back, he becomes violently ill, to which everyone applauds and the angry man takes a bow and leaves the stage. Next, a nearly naked woman comes walking onto the stage. Alex tries to take advantage of the situation, but once again is stricken with extreme nausea. At this, he is declared "Cured!" and is released. This is where his real problems begin as several people take advantage of his new mindframe. Causing him to nearly kill himself!

This movie gripped my attention and never let go! I loved how he was reading the Bible and picturing himself as the "bad guys", as he appeared to be someone who was reading it to better himself to everybody else. I loved the loud-mouthed prison guard! I loved the way Alex talked, occasionally sounding all shakespeareian! I absolutely loved the character of Alex DeLarge! And I really loved the use of association and traumatic stress disorder! I'm goin' out and buyin' this one! Highly recommended!

5/5

Masterpiece my favorite Kubrick Movie!!

ACWO 5/5
Paths of Glory 5/5
The Shining 4/5
FMJ 4/5
2001 ASO 2.5/5

Still Have to view
Eyes Wide Shut
Dr. Strangelove
Lolita
Spartacus

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

I have a habit of loving what others consider a director's most sub-par effort. "The Hudsucker Proxy" is my most favoritist Coen Bros'. movie ever, but everytime I bring it up, folks say, "I wasn't really into that one."

Haven't seen it yet, but Fargo and No Country are around my Top 10 most of the time.

[BladeRunner2007]

Piranha (2010) 3.5/5

Lots of tits, butts, blood and gore

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Resident Evil: Afterlife.”

[Show spoiler]The first three “Resident Evil” films have provided quite an entertaining thrill ride, and would have been an adequately complete saga in itself. But this fourth film continues the franchise pretty well, adhering to the previous films while driving the story/characters forward and throwing in huge helpings of action and style.

From the start, the film features loads of high-flying stunts, bombastic shoot-outs, high-octane explosions, crazy swordfighting, and incredible vehicular mayhem. All with glorious bursts of slow-motion photography, topped only by the opening scene of “Antichrist” (or more appropriately, “The Matrix” ). And there are plenty of impressive special effects. This is easily the most entertaining RE film since “RE: Apocalypse.” But, at times it does feel like too much of a gimmick, using the action and slow-mo photography to showcase the 3-D craze. Regardless, it is great fun to watch (and it probably is impressive in 3-D).

Of course, bigger may not always be better. This film is loaded with stuff that’s very absurd and unbelievable, and probably will be too insipid for some folks. But I think most of it rocks.

As far as the story goes…well, let’s face it, RE has never had much brilliance in its storytelling prowess. It is a good continuation in my opinion, as it carries over elements of the last film (including the presence of the Alice clones, surprisingly; it’s something I always thought was a little too absurd, but they closed off this subplot pretty well) while setting up for this one. Truth be told though, it feels a lot like a video game in itself (some games start off letting you play with full upgrades and powers, then strips it all away and makes you play from the start. Guess what? This movie does the same thing to the main character!). Aside from that little quibble, the story is fairly interesting, but I feel the characters are very lacking.

As an adaptation of the video game…I really can’t say for sure since RE5 is the only one I’ve ever played. But yes, elements of #5 do appear in “RE: Afterlife,” and it is pretty cool seeing Wesker in action, zombies with splitting jaws (kinda like “Blade 2” actually), and one badass zombie with a massive axe. Ah yeah…

Cinematically, the photography is very slick and stylish, and is a pleasure to watch. Acting is okay for what this movie is supposed to be. Writing is so-so at best. Production value seems quite high (maybe too high; some sets, props, costumes, etc look so slick and polished that they are probably too out-of-place in a post-apocalypse setting, and some of them do look a little fake). Music totally rocks.

It’s interesting seeing Paul WS Anderson returning to the helm on this one. I believe he brought back a few important elements to this franchise that he previously established in the first film and were lost in the sequels in between; it’s like he’s realigning the series. Moreover, in the ten years between the first RE and this one, his style has improved at least aesthetically.

By the end of the movie, it’s pretty clear they’re gearing up for another sequel. What’s next, “RE: Oblivion?” Whatever it’ll be, it probably will kick butt!

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 3.5/5)

This Blu-Ray is great. Picture quality looks darn near perfect; it is sharp and clean with plenty of detail. Colors are a bit dull, but I think its part of the film’s style. Contrast is not bad. Sound quality seems really good to me.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

This UK Steelbook edition is region-free.

I was highly disappointed at this movie. Glad you liked it thought. Remember the there's a US steelbook too. Walmart exclusive for 19.99

[Hep]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Piranha (2010) 3.5/5

Lots of tits, butts, blood and gore

Brevity is the key to clear and concise communication; Martin could have learned a thing or two from you for the official review .

[lDlisturb3d]

True Grit

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Mains: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld

"Ground's too hard. Them men wanted a decent burial, they should have got themselves killed in summer. "

Plot (IMDb): A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer in Indian territory. The official remake of the 1969 "John Wayne" True Grit.

My Take: There was a lot of fuss about this remake of True Grit. Once I saw that the Coen brothers where directing it I knew that i was going to get either a great thriller or a dialogue heavy dark comedy. Needless to say they didn't fail in the second category. The dialogue in the movie is GREAT, some of the best quotes period. The plot really wasn't all that great but it made up for it with the comedy. I loved each character, they all had something to offer and i just have to take my hat off to the cast. I especially loved the head strong Mattie Ross, I can hear critics talking about her performance now!! Reminds me of Marisa Tomei's performance in My Cousin Vinny, so i wouldn't be surprised if she got some type of recognition for the academy awards. I would like to note it took me a while to adjust to Cogburn's voice. It was really hard to understand him at times but once i adjusted it was a fun little ride.

Conclusion: True Grit is a fun movie for sure, memorable and well casted. I cant see anyone who enjoys movies in general not finding something good about this film. I haven't see the original but it seems to either be a very good remake or a worthy remake. Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld are unforgettable. As far as publicity goes i think this movie is a tad bit over hyped. Is is a good one? Of Course. Is it great? I think not. I still would recommend this to anyone!

WELL RECOMMENDED

4/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

"A Clockwork Orange"

[Show spoiler]
Another Kubrick movie I've learned a whole lot about through pop culture; I knew that the main character had extra-long eyelashes around one eye, drank drug-loaded milk, was "ultra-violent" and was subjected to horrible images with his eyes stuck open as a scientist-dude dripped water in 'em. I actually attempted renting this movie when I was 18 or 19 years old, but shut it off when I came to the gang-raping of the woman on stage. (I've always had a problem with watching rape. It's such a vicious crime.) However, over 10 years later, after just watching "2001", I had to revisit this movie. And I'm so glad I did! It was flippin' awesome! There were many times I sat there and just thought, "Wow!" at how well this movie was made. I thought it impossible to feel for a dude that had done what he'd done, but I did!

The movie opens with a close-up of a very young Malcom McDowell as Alex (whom I could recognize, but couldn't place. Never seen him young before!), drinking milk as the camera slowly pulls back to reveal that he is sitting in some rather odd surroundings; some kinda perverted room that's apparently a public place called a "milk bar". (However, later we come to a seemingly respectable woman's home to find that she has a gigantic (and I mean GIGANTIC) penis on a table, so I guess it's the "in thang" at this point in the "future", huh?) He's surrounded by his 3 "brothers", as he calls them through narration. Yes. He's the narrator. And a cynical one at that! After getting nicely loaded, they head out to beat a bum, knock the snot outta some hoodlums looking for the same "good time" that they are, and ending the evening by raping a woman in front of her husband as Alex sings "Singin' in the Rain". I think it's safe to say that these guys are jerks. They head back to the milk bar, where we find that Alex has a love for Beethoven. When one of his boys interupts the song with a rather rude raspberry, Alex whacks the crap outta his leg with his cane! Then he gets all poetic with him, and when dude retorts, Alex gets all gangsta and says "And I'll scrap anytime you say." His boy just slunk back into line! I was all, "Daaaaamn! Gangsta, gangsta!" A while later, after a few zany antics involving Alex's guidance councelor (?), who actually grabs his junk as they lay in bed together (very weird moment, to type the least) and then a rather hilarious threesome with a coupla chicks he picks up, he feels he has to physically put a coupla his boys back in line, and then takes them out for a drink and decides, for himself, that everything is back to normal. They go off to see their next victim, where Alex accidentally murders the woman with the giant penis I mentioned earlier. (Yeah, that was a little crazy.) This is when his boys decide to turn on him and leave him for the police.

Once behind bars, Alex hears of a treatment that'll get you outta prison after just 2 weeks. Naturally, he assumes he can fake his way through this, so he volunteers. When he hears that all he's gotta do is watch movies he is too excited to begin, just as I would be. At first he's all smiles, he used to do alotta this stuff for fun, y'know! But soon, he begins feeling ill due to some injections that they give him after meals. Of course he doesn't know this and cannot understand what is happening. All he knows is that he wants it to stop! Then they start playing Beethoven's "9th Symphony", which just sends this poor guy into an even bigger fit! Those subjecting him to this torture are surprised to find that this "vicious, young hoodlum" was familiar with this music, but decide to stick with it nonetheless. After the 2 weeks, Alex is placed onstage in front of several important people. They then have a man come out insult him, and just beat the tar outta this guy, who does nothing to defend himself! When he thinks to fight back, he becomes violently ill, to which everyone applauds and the angry man takes a bow and leaves the stage. Next, a nearly naked woman comes walking onto the stage. Alex tries to take advantage of the situation, but once again is stricken with extreme nausea. At this, he is declared "Cured!" and is released. This is where his real problems begin as several people take advantage of his new mindframe. Causing him to nearly kill himself!

This movie gripped my attention and never let go! I loved how he was reading the Bible and picturing himself as the "bad guys", as he appeared to be someone who was reading it to better himself to everybody else. I loved the loud-mouthed prison guard! I loved the way Alex talked, occasionally sounding all shakespeareian! I absolutely loved the character of Alex DeLarge! And I really loved the use of association and traumatic stress disorder! I'm goin' out and buyin' this one! Highly recommended!

5/5

Sweet!

If we're all grading Kubrick, I might as well put mine up too:

Killer's Kiss 4.5/5 (more or less; nobody else I know seemed to like this one)
The Killing 4/5
Paths of Glory 4/5
Spartacus 4/5
Lolita 3.5/5
Dr Strangelove 4/5
2001: A Space Odyssey 4.5/5 (used to be 3/5)
A Clockwork Orange 5/5
Barry Lyndon 3.5/5
The Shining 5/5
Full Metal Jacket 5/5
Eyes Wide Shut 3.5/5

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

I was highly disappointed at this movie. Glad you liked it thought. Remember the there's a US steelbook too. Walmart exclusive for 19.99

I can understand not liking it. Heck, I think "xXx" had a better story/character development than "RE Afterlife."

The Walmart steelbook would be a good deal for those who can access it and haven't gotten it yet.

I take it it's an in-store exclusive? I don't see it on their website. Oh well, I'm in the UK, so I might as well get the UK edition.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Bummer. But then again, yeah, it's kinda dumb.

I hope #3 turns out enjoyable though. I thought #2 was even worse.

I want #3 to get delayed...so he can make Riddick first

James Bond did crazy over-the-top stunts too, perhaps even more ridiculous than xXx. The gadgets and the megalomaniac bad guy definitely scream 007 to me. But, the dirty grungy eastern-European settings, the seedy bars clubs and chicks, the extreme sports angle, the cool cars, and the rockin' soundtrack definitely establishes it as its own thing.

Xander Cage may have been hustled into the job, but I think he was transformed into solid spy material by the end.

Sure he was...but a Bond-esque character he was not

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Check this out

Great read...that guy put some serious thought into that interpretation of the film...and I really like it

Thinking of it in those terms makes the abrupt ending better

Originally Posted by killowertz

You better be extra careful the next few days. You may suffer death by tea cup from Vin.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Now THAT was funny. Mean, but funny.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

What are you trying to say? That my humor is remedial? Dude, your being such a studio head.

[Show spoiler]

[Foggy]

Predators

Seen this before so it's somewhere on here guessing, good sequel to the orginal (only took something past 20 years) but Adrien Brody is more effective in this than as a badass

9/10

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I want #3 to get delayed...so he can make Riddick first

That's true, Riddick is the better saga and should take priority.

If they make a third one, it should be called the "Reign of Riddick."

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

That's true, Riddick is the better saga and should take priority.

If they make a third one, it should be called the "Reign of Riddick."

They ARE making a third

As for that title,

[Show spoiler]he's getting abandoned by the Necros on some craphole of a planet from the early details that were revealed...unless that changes.

[Al_The_Strange]

“Mad Max.”

What a strange little film. Watching it almost seems purely obligatory since it’s the prequel for “The Road Warrior” (more or less). First time around, I caught a snippet of it on TV and thought it was dull. Second time on TV, I saw the whole thing and thought it was weird and violent.

This time around…eh, somewhere in the middle.

“Mad Max” plays out a bit like a classic western, replacing gun duels with high-speed car chases. The chase scenes are pretty darn cool; the opening chase and the end scenes are great and feature a lot of mad stunts and incredible wrecks. In between these scenes, the story slows down quite a bit, but is interspaced with some moderately mean scenes of violence and mayhem.

The story always felt a little off to me, but it works fundamentally. The first hour or so is a pretty loose setup for the wicked revenge scenes in the last half-hour (and the last act really is an awesome payoff for this movie, even if it does whiz by really fast and abruptly end). Characters are fair. With the dialogue the way it is, I find it a little hard to connect with the story and characters, but the visuals do work well to tell the basic story. The only thing that really bothers me is the setting; coming just before “The Road Warrior,” I’d assume it’s the brink of the apocalypse, but the movie still shows working institutions and technology. If it wasn’t for the opening title card that says “a few years in the future,” I’d assume this is a modern-day tale.

I gotta say, the ending is bloody wicked!

[Show spoiler]The way Max ties Johnny up and makes him choose between using the hacksaw or burning to death...wow, "Saw" can eat its heart out!

On the plus side, the photography is brilliant and a lot of the scenes look gorgeous. Acting is not bad; Mel Gibson plays Max with some level of heart, but I think he’s a much better badass in the sequels. Some of the bad guys are interesting standouts. But for the most part, there’s a lot of wacky and lively antics going on throughout that help characterize this film as “mad.” Writing seems nutty to me as well, and the Australian accents don’t help. Production value is adequate (probably low-budget, but who would notice?). Music is alright.

3.5/5 (entertainment: 3/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4/5) Yep, I still like the sequels a bit better (even that cheesy “Beyond Thunderdome” one ).

This Blu-Ray is bloomin’ mad. It’s definitely sharp and detailed; some scenes could be an easy 4/5 or even 4.5/5. But, colors are a but dull in some spots, contrast levels may vary, and some of the outdoor shots show incredible amounts of noise, grain, dirt, print damage, and flickering. This happens sporadically from one shot to another; it’s not all continuous. One moment it could look beautiful and the next it could look dirty. I guess you could say it’s inconsistent. Sound quality never really knocked my socks off, especially since much of the dialogue is a little subdued or drowned out by sound effects and music. But, some sound effects do sound nice.

PQ: 3.5/5, AQ: 3.5/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

They ARE making a third

As for that title,

[Show spoiler]he's getting abandoned by the Necros on some craphole of a planet from the early details that were revealed...unless that changes.

"Revenge of Riddick" it is then!