The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[CZAR]

The Expendables - I was so tempted to blind buy this when it came out but never pulled the trigger. Finally got this from netflix and now wish I wouldve just bought it from the jump. This was a very entertaining action film and it was cool to see all these action film stars together. The only thing I wanted was a bigger role for both Bruce Willis & Arnold. Other than that I was satisfied. Some of the effects were not the best including how the fire looked at times but it wasnt a big distraction.

Gisele Itié who I never seen before was stunning and I now hope to see her in future american films. Charisma Carpenter was also a cutie but she has nuthin on Gisele. The story wasnt the best but it was good enough to tie the film together. I enjoyed Statham's character the most and thought he did the best job of all the actors. All in all this was a good action film and it was great to see homage paid to the great 80's era of action films. I am now anticipating part two. Got Em!!

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I didn't feel the desire to type one up. If I had to assign a score I suppose it would get a 4.25.




I also don't feel like reviewing D3: The Mighty Ducks from last night

Ah, OK. Its all about your feeeelings and desires. Cool. Gotcha. Thats not EMO at all.

Whats next, a Sparkly Riddick?

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

“Batman Begins.”

5/5 (entertainment: 5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, intellectual impact: 3/5) Increased from 4.5/5, putting it on the same level as “TDK.”

Right on!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I totally forgot to comment on the alter-ego theme. There's just so much going on in this film!

Maybe you'll have to watch it again

I agree; Maggie G just didn't do the character as good justice.

[Show spoiler]It's just as well, her character gets killed off in "TDK."

Agreed definitely; Katie Holmes may not have been on par with Bale, Caine or Freeman but she still gave a very solid performance and I would have liked to see her give it another go in TDK...it especially irks me that they had to recast

[Show spoiler]just to kill her off

. Tom Cruise (he reportedly talked her into taking that other movie instead of TDK).

I used to knock 0.5 off my score for the jittery action scenes, but it didn't seem to bother me this time around. The new "Batman" movies are becoming huge favorites; it might turn my holy trinity of favorites ("LOTR," "Star Wars," "Matrix") into a quadrinity.

I take off probably .25 for my small issues with the film. The other .25 is one of those cases that the higher score just doesn't feel right.

I hope the third film delivers as much as the first two and becomes a favorite trilogy of mine as well
My two top trilogies would be Lord of the Rings and Toy Story currently.

I almost gave the PQ a 4/5, but I probably felt it was more like a 4.25 and I rounded up.

When are you going to be giving us a TDK review?

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

I saw this a while back on HBO and it left me very ambivalent. I kept wanting to turn it off, but i couldn't do it. DDL is obviously great, but everyone else seems very wooden and Winona Ryder was annoying as hell. I'm sure that's how it was written, since it's based on the play, but the dialogue felt very stilted and formal. I stuck with it till the end and i'm glad i did because the end is very emotional and dark, but it was painful getting to that point. The fact that most of that stuff actually happened is the only thing (besides DDL ) the movie has going for it. God, those people were stupid! I just kept wanting to smack everybody and since it did get a rise out of me, i can't entirely dismiss it or give it a failing grade, but i really can't put a score on it without seeing it again. But i don't really wanna see it again.

Sounds like you have quite a conundrum on your hands

Winona was quite annoying...but so was the character in the play. She's one of those ones you just want to see a Terminator come back from the future and destroy her

No one else was close to DDL (I said almost everyone was "great" in my review I just noticed; the better term would be very good with DDL being great) but I thought the other major characters did very well for their parts.

Originally Posted by CZAR

The Expendables -

[Show spoiler]I was so tempted to blind buy this when it came out but never pulled the trigger. Finally got this from netflix and now wish I wouldve just bought it from the jump. This was a very entertaining action film and it was cool to see all these action film stars together. The only thing I wanted was a bigger role for both Bruce Willis & Arnold. Other than that I was satisfied. Some of the effects were not the best including how the fire looked at times but it wasnt a big distraction.

Gisele Itié who I never seen before was stunning and I now hope to see her in future american films. Charisma Carpenter was also a cutie but she has nuthin on Gisele. The story wasnt the best but it was good enough to tie the film together. I enjoyed Statham's character the most and thought he did the best job of all the actors. All in all this was a good action film and it was great to see homage paid to the great 80's era of action films. I am now anticipating part two. Got Em!!

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

I'll be checking this out with my dad this weekend. He wanted to watch it as he is a big fan of the 80s action movies so I'm going to rent it for us to check out. I hope its good

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Ah, OK. Its all about your feeeelings and desires. Cool. Gotcha. Thats not EMO at all.

Whats next, a Sparkly Riddick?

[Show spoiler]

His eyes are kind of sparkly...

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Haven't posted reviews on here in a long time due to being very busy, so I'll just do a few short ones.

Spanglish - 4.5/5

Very impressed with this one. There was some of the best comedic timing I've ever seen in a few scenes. Overall, very charming and warm little film. Everyone was great, including Sandler. I'd love to get the blu someday. After seeing Paz Vega in this, Sex and Lucia is coming very soon from Netflix

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'll be checking this out with my dad this weekend. He wanted to watch it as he is a big fan of the 80s action movies so I'm going to rent it for us to check out. I hope its good

Yea its a must for 80's action fans. It was a fun ride and I am sure u will enjoy it although u have surprised me lately with a few movie scores lol. Time will tell. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

His eyes are kind of sparkly...

[Show spoiler]

I was wondering if you'd go there.

[SquidPuppet]

The Town

This film was a weird experience for me. When it was done, I had an odd empty feeling.

The acting was great. So was the directing and editing. The camera work was really good too and I thought the score was very subtle, effective and cool. The dialogue seemed very realistic and the pacing was perfect for a crime thriller.

The execution of the crimes was fun to watch. The prep for the crimes seemed cool. The action scenes were very exciting and well done.

I could have loved this film if not for two major issues.

Plot holes.

[Show spoiler]Their house was filled with illeagal weapons. Why didnt the FBI just get a search warrant and bust them for possession of those guns and other paraphernalia? LAME.

Bad guys

[Show spoiler]are who I am rooting for? Fail. There have been some films where this has worked, but not here. Affleck was a repeat felon. A slimeball with a nice smile. He stole frequently and was willing to harm/kill people who got in his way. The movie asked to be taken seriously, and in this light, rooting for a scumbag doesnt work. I had a strong conflicting feeling while watching the movie that made the whole thing feel counterintuitive and akward.

The BD is nice. PQ is clear and detailed. AQ is good and the action scenes were pretty punchy.

Film 3/5
PQ 4.25/5
AQ 4/5

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Town

[Show spoiler]This film was a weird experience for me. When it was done, I had an odd empty feeling.

The acting was great. So was the directing and editing. The camera work was really good too and I thought the score was very subtle, effective and cool. The dialogue seemed very realistic and the pacing was perfect for a crime thriller.

The execution of the crimes was fun to watch. The prep for the crimes seemed cool. The action scenes were very exciting and well done.

I could have loved this film if not for two major issues.

Plot holes.

[Show spoiler]Their house was filled with illeagal weapons. Why didnt the FBI just get a search warrant and bust them for possession of those guns and other paraphernalia? LAME.

Bad guys

[Show spoiler]are who I am rooting for? Fail. There have been some films where this has worked, but not here. Affleck was a repeat felon. A slimeball with a nice smile. He stole frequently and was willing to harm/kill people who got in his way. The movie asked to be taken seriously, and in this light, rooting for a scumbag doesnt work. I had a strong conflicting feeling while watching the movie that made the whole thing feel counterintuitive and akward.

The BD is nice. PQ is clear and detailed. AQ is good and the action scenes were pretty punchy.

Film 3/5
PQ 4.25/5
AQ 4/5

Wow I wouldnt have ever guessed u wouldve scored this film that low. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Shadow of a Doubt

DVD-1943-PG-108 minutes

Netflix synopsis...

In trademark style, master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock directs this taut and chilling tale about Charlie (Teresa Wright), a small-town girl consumed with finding out whether her unhinged Uncle (Joseph Cotten) is a serial killer or not. The arrival of detectives and a suspicious neighbor (Hume Cronyn) only increase Charlie's paranoia. But tension builds as she draws closer to the truth, culminating in a nail-biting scene aboard a speeding train.

There is some controversy on the issue, but either this or "Rebecca" is Hitchcocks favorite of his own works.

Not sure why.

There are a bunch of trademark Hitchcock moves in this film. Shots from the floor with camera angles off kilter. Smooth rotating sweeps with intimate zooms. Odd focuses on inanimate objects. Neat stuff that started a lot of trends and gave birth to many a copy cat (homage?) style.

The movie itself though is a little flat, and never develops the intensity that the story provides the possibilities for.

Its a '40s film and it very much feels that way. Perhaps I just wasnt in enough of a nostalgic mood to fully appreciate it. Still good stuff though.

3.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Wow I wouldnt have ever guessed u wouldve scored this film that low. Got Em!!

I know, it's weird. Thats why I explained my issues. On a technical basis, its damn near perfect. Rock solid man. I just couldnt get past that the movie was asking me to be

[Show spoiler]sympathetic towards a shitty, evil person. They tried to portray him as a nice guy AND a bad guy and it didnt work for me.

For how flawed the screeplay was, I feel like I actually enjoyed it too much.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Yea its a must for 80's action fans. It was a fun ride and I am sure u will enjoy it although u have surprised me lately with a few movie scores lol. Time will tell. Got Em!!

I'm going in expecting cheesy acting and entertaining stuff...so it shouldn't be too hard to please me

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I was wondering if you'd go there.

Oh, I went there...I went there.

I've been working on redeeming my manliness with watching lots of 24

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Town

This film was a weird experience for me. When it was done, I had an odd empty feeling.

The acting was great. So was the directing and editing. The camera work was really good too and I thought the score was very subtle, effective and cool. The dialogue seemed very realistic and the pacing was perfect for a crime thriller.

The execution of the crimes was fun to watch. The prep for the crimes seemed cool. The action scenes were very exciting and well done.

I could have loved this film if not for two major issues.

Plot holes.

[Show spoiler]Their house was filled with illeagal weapons. Why didnt the FBI just get a search warrant and bust them for possession of those guns and other paraphernalia? LAME.

Bad guys

[Show spoiler]are who I am rooting for? Fail. There have been some films where this has worked, but not here. Affleck was a repeat felon. A slimeball with a nice smile. He stole frequently and was willing to harm/kill people who got in his way. The movie asked to be taken seriously, and in this light, rooting for a scumbag doesnt work. I had a strong conflicting feeling while watching the movie that made the whole thing feel counterintuitive and akward.

The BD is nice. PQ is clear and detailed. AQ is good and the action scenes were pretty punchy.

Film 3/5
PQ 4.25/5
AQ 4/5

While I obviously gave the film a glowing review, I can def understand where you're coming from--sometimes you really like and respect all the components of a film, but overall it doesn't come together for you. I can't think of a film like that for me off the top of my head, but I definitely have many like that.

As for the two things you didn't like:

Plot Holes

[Show spoiler]that's not a plot hole. I actually just wrote up an affidavit for a search warrant today. It's a lot harder to get a search warrant than you think because probable cause is needed. Simply believing that they have weapons there is not enough, so it's not a plot hole.

Bad Guys:

[Show spoiler]I understand this argument and think it has merit. I thought the same while watching it--Affleck shot at a bunch of ppl and maybe killed ppl during the last shootout but we're supposed to root for him? However, there are many films where you're manipulated into rooting for the bad guy. It worked for me here because one of the points of the film is that you can't escape where you come from, and he came from a neighborhood of criminals

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I know, it's weird. Thats why I explained my issues. On a technical basis, its damn near perfect. Rock solid man. I just couldnt get past that the movie was asking me to be

[Show spoiler]sympathetic towards a shitty, evil person. They tried to portray him as a nice guy AND a bad guy and it didnt work for me.

For how flawed the screeplay was, I feel like I actually enjoyed it too much.

Yea man it worked for me as far as your bad guy theory goes as I did like both characters. As for your plot hole I cant remember fully so when I watch again I will try to lookout for that. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'm going in expecting cheesy acting and entertaining stuff...so it shouldn't be too hard to please me :

Haha I got u. Yea man Im sure u will enjoy it. I mean sheesh u are a Diesel fan and Im surprised he wasnt in this lol. Got Em!!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Haha I got u. Yea man Im sure u will enjoy it. I mean sheesh u are a Diesel fan and Im surprised he wasnt in this lol. Got Em!!

Maybe he'll be in the next one

I heard Van Damme may be in part 2

[Foggy]

A friend of mine brought up this film, have any of you guys seen it, it's Foreign (for no sane person could possible release this is such a PC country)

Taxidermia

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

While I obviously gave the film a glowing review, I can def understand where you're coming from--sometimes you really like and respect all the components of a film, but overall it doesn't come together for you. I can't think of a film like that for me off the top of my head, but I definitely have many like that.

As for the two things you didn't like:

Plot Holes

[Show spoiler]that's not a plot hole. I actually just wrote up an affidavit for a search warrant today. It's a lot harder to get a search warrant than you think because probable cause is needed. Simply believing that they have weapons there is not enough, so it's not a plot hole.

Bad Guys:

[Show spoiler]I understand this argument and think it has merit. I thought the same while watching it--Affleck shot at a bunch of ppl and maybe killed ppl during the last shootout but we're supposed to root for him? However, there are many films where you're manipulated into rooting for the bad guy. It worked for me here because one of the points of the film is that you can't escape where you come from, and he came from a neighborhood of criminals

Good points man. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Diesel

Maybe he'll be in the next one

I heard Van Damme may be in part 2

Man there may be a good amount more of action stars in part two actually. Speaking of that chump Van Damme, he agreed to be in part two as long as Steven Seagal wasnt in it! That dude has been running from Seagal ever since the 80's man haha. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

While I obviously gave the film a glowing review, I can def understand where you're coming from--sometimes you really like and respect all the components of a film, but overall it doesn't come together for you. I can't think of a film like that for me off the top of my head, but I definitely have many like that.

As for the two things you didn't like:

Plot Holes

[Show spoiler]that's not a plot hole. I actually just wrote up an affidavit for a search warrant today. It's a lot harder to get a search warrant than you think because probable cause is needed. Simply believing that they have weapons there is not enough, so it's not a plot hole.

Bad Guys:

[Show spoiler]I understand this argument and think it has merit. I thought the same while watching it--Affleck shot at a bunch of ppl and maybe killed ppl during the last shootout but we're supposed to root for him? However, there are many films where you're manipulated into rooting for the bad guy. It worked for me here because one of the points of the film is that you can't escape where you come from, and he came from a neighborhood of criminals

Two very simple responses.

Plot holes

[Show spoiler]They pulled a fingerprint from the van, they had probable cuase. In a case where there are multiple violent felonies repeated over and over by the same crew, and the FBI is pulled in, a search warrant can appear out of thin air when needed, and they do.

Also. The girl from the DWI that they approached at the end was a fail as well. They would have squeezed her, a known drug deliverer and Affleck connection, right at the very beginning. They had plenty of data to pinch her anytime but they didnt until it fit into the screenplay. They would have been all over her right from the start.

Bad guys

[Show spoiler]"You cant escape where you came from" may be a point that the film is trying to make, but because that frame of mind is utter horsesh!t, I have no sympathy for anyone who claims to be a victim of it. In fact, during the film Affleck realizes he is on the wrong road and wants to start a new life in Florida. Yet, he is committing these crimes WHILE he knows they are wrong. He is commiting these crimes to get away. He wants to "Escape where he came from" and uses crime and innocent peoples suffering to do so. He does in fact "Escape where he came from" at the cost of others. Shall we forgive him because he is a product of his environment? NO! A starving 10 year old in a ghetto gets a pass from me for shoplifting a package of food. But a 30 something year old blaming his neighborhood? Bahhh.

In movies where we dont REALLY know the innocence or guilt of a character, thats fine. Or when the film takes a "light" tone with hints of comedy like Butch and Sundance, then we can suspend disbelief, or offer sympathy.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

When are you going to be giving us a TDK review?

100 pages ago. But I did watch it just now and it rocked! My previous review below still applies. I would just add an intellectual/emotional impact score of 4/5, and maybe re-adjust the overall score so that entertainment value is 5/5 (even if it is long, it moves pretty darn fast) and a lower story score to 4.5/5 (let's face it, the movie has so many twists and turns that plot holes are inevitable). But it's still a 5/5 either way.

And the recommendation line would look like this:

Recommendation: Ooohhhh yeah!!

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

“The Dark Knight.”

Having established Batman as a butt-kicking ninja-trained hero in “Batman Begins,” “TDK” takes the characters and story into the next level; one that is deeper, darker, more convoluted, and ultimately more intense. I think that while the previous film still bears the semblance of an average superhero film (not that it is average though), this film strikes me more as a crime drama; there are no megalomaniac plots or outlandish supervillians, the focus is more on the ramifications of Batman’s actions (socially and personally) and the ongoing conflict between order and chaos within Gotham City.

The story has its share of action (the police escort scene has got to be one of the best car chase scenes ever!), but none of it is as frivolous as it would be in any other action movie. All of the action and violence occurs through the tragic consequences of the story, which takes on many drastic twists and turns (sometimes straining to suspend some disbelief). At its core, the story focuses really well on the themes of corruption (again, both social and personal), terrorism (strong parallels to modern issues, and the film even includes a little blip about privacy invasion), and morality (Batman’s moral code is tested and pushed to its limit; much of the story’s conflicts revolve around him trying to maintain it in himself and others).

Going hand-in-hand with the story is a strong group of characters. Bruce Wayne probably doesn’t get as much development as he had in “Batman Begins,” but the Joker and Harvey Dent definitely take precedence and are portrayed perfectly. Acting is excellent all around (though I’ll admit that Maggie Gyllenhaal’s acting is a little iffy here); Heath Ledger is especially noteworthy.

The biggest thing that catches my attention in this film (and in all things in general) is duality. The Joker is presented as the perfect foil to Batman; both characters are equal and opposite, and exert an equal and opposite force onto Gotham City. The Joker’s lines say it the best: “This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.”

As such, the writing is really impressive, as is the film’s direction. Much of the photography is great, and the editing style is very interesting. The production value is high; the film has some impressive set pieces, locations, costumes, and a slick style overall. And the music score is awesome as well.

It currently remains my favorite among superhero/comic-book films.

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

The Blu-Ray is an awesome deal. The PQ is very sharp and clean. There may be some slight DNR, but most fine details remain intact. Color and contrast are excellent. Sound quality is excellent; dialogue is clean and crisp, and the louder action scenes are decently bombastic.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 5/5





Why so serious?!!

Okay, Batman marathon is over...until my rentals for "Under the Red Hood" "Mask of the Phantasm" and the Adam West movie come in...

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

100 pages ago. But I did watch it just now and it rocked! My previous review below still applies. I would just add an intellectual/emotional impact score of 4/5, and maybe re-adjust the overall score so that entertainment value is 5/5 (even if it is long, it moves pretty darn fast) and a lower story score to 4.5/5 (let's face it, the movie has so many twists and turns that plot holes are inevitable). But it's still a 5/5 either way.

And the recommendation line would look like this:

Recommendation: Ooohhhh yeah!!



Okay, Batman marathon is over...until my rentals for "Under the Red Hood" "Mask of the Phantasm" and the Adam West movie come in...

The best one in my opinion