Next greatest rental: “The Quick and the Dead”1995.
There ain’t a whole lotta westerns I give a hootin’ and a hollerin’ over. Sergio Leone certainly makes them good, but many of his films are slow as hell. Can’t say many other ones (like the John Ford movies) really grab my interest that much. Sometimes I wonder why they can’t all be like “Desperado” or “The Good the Bad and the Weird,” which are just jam-loaded with action!
Well, “The Quick and the Dead” remake comes close. It’s definitely more stylish, more thrilling, and cooler than the average spaghetti epic. With a modernized flair and a cast of wickedly cool characters, it was hardly ever dull.
The story isn’t really as eventful as I would have preferred, but it does have its share of action, shoot-outs, duels, and an overall good-vs-evil story. The characters are pretty interesting though; having a woman as the main character with no name is something new, and she is totally badass! I love the way she responds to everything so coldly, almost sarcastically; it’s a lot like a female Clint Eastwood. The bad guy is decent, the supporting characters are adequate…what’s not to like?
The film is surprisingly vivid too. Photography is awesome all the way through, featuring loads of bizarre camera angles and optical effects. Acting is great; Sharon Stone is pretty awesome as the main character, Gene Hackman makes a good villain, Leo DiCaprio makes a good kid back in the day, and there are shedloads of other fine actors loaded in this film. Production value is high, and the music is okay (Alan Silvestri, hmm…).
Recommendation: Sure, especially if you like westerns.
“Road to Perdition”
Like the westerns mentioned above, one can be hard-pressed to find many period crime dramas that are totally thrilling. I can’t say “Road to Perdition” is 100% entertaining; it starts off pretty slow and picks up toward the end. I might even say that the pacing is uneven. But it does have its share of violence and suspense, but the rest of it is filled with somber poetic space.
The story is pretty noteworthy; it is a touching account of a father and son (who don’t even really know each other) working against adversity. Combined with some strong gangster conspiracy, some heists, some cat-and-mouse pursuits, and a cast of strong characters, and a strong spiritual core, it is rather potent film in its own right.
As a film, it is expertly filmed and framed; there are lots of beautiful shots in the film, most of which are filled with very fine details (which can be a blast to catch on Blu-Ray; look out for things like the smoke of a burning cigar on the table, or single bead of sweat dripping down Michael’s face when he’s confronting the hitman…). Acting is brilliant all around; Tom Hanks is great, Daniel Craig is surprisingly solid as an American gangster, Jude Law is appropriately creepy, the child actors are great, and everybody else is solid. Production design is very high, especially in regards to its period reproduction. Music is awesome (will have to buy the soundtrack).
This Blu-Ray is definitely sharp and detailed; it does not disappoint overall. It does have its share of issues though; the picture is very grainy, with some heavier noise in some scenes. A few scenes looked a little soft (one scene was soft and devoid of grain, making me wonder if it was DNRed). I saw some banding in certain scenes (like the opening scenes). Colors can be a bit dull (likely for artistic effect), and contrast is mostly good with just a few exceptions. Sound quality is pretty awesome, save for a few scenes with very low dialogue.
so, let me get this straight... you're interested in some boring, foreign looking film about a guy who can't give a speech and NOT two gorgeous actresses in a psychological thinker / thriller directed by one of the best directors around?
[Show spoiler]NSE definitely!
[Show spoiler]
After reading Squid's (I think it was Squid's) review, my interest did shift from "No" to "Hmm..." and the other night a friend of mine who has seen it twice (she said she had to go back to make sure she caught the whole thing) was almost foaming at the mouth about its awesomeness.
....but I still won't dish out $7.50 for a ticket to see it. If its on a movie channel that I have, sure, I'll give it a shot now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Yeah, you wouldnt enjoy it. It has a story.
I'd recommend that you skip The Kings Speech as well. Not a single robot or shoot out or car chase.
Stupid movies, both of them.
I thought that King George was a robot?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
+1
When I came back from seeing it, did I say the dancing was beautiful? Did I say all the pretty stuff was dainty and devine? Did I say it was cute and romantic?
NO! I said it scared the crap out of me and the tension was almost beyond coping with and the score ripped my skull open.
I think I know the REAL reason Diesel doesnt want to see it. Imagine this scenario... A guy who is paralyzed from the waist down and has a passion for Motocross might not want to see a film about how awesome the sport is. Its like gladiators suiting up in special armour and heading out on visious machines to engage in epic dangerous battles. The guy might feel sad because he knows deep down in his heart that he will never be able to compete. It would be very sad for him.
Same for Diesel. He doesnt want to be subjected to 2 hours of the lovely little toe shoes, the pretty ribbons around the ankles, the pink tights, the fluffy and frilly skirts and the Tiara. As much as Diesels heart yearns to one day don the outfit and strike the pose, he knows society will frown on him. His life long desire to be tossed and spun through the air will never be fulfilled. His entire soul wants to share his Allegro, to feel the serenity of a well executed Arabesque, to feel the air beneath him during his Brise', and to finish it all with a comanding Demi Detourné (from 5th position). Alas, Diesels dreams are crushed by a judgmental society. He'll never feel the smoothness of the tights adorning his thighs, nor will he ever feel the delicious satin ribbons caressing his ankles, nor the musclar hands of a Danseur noble supporting him. The poor guy would be crushed sitting through two hours of heaven, knowing that his dream, his lifes passion... to be the Prima... will never be.
Like a diabetic leaving a candy store empty handed, Diesel would leave Black Swan yearning, damaged, a broken soul robbed of his true calling. A tragic finale' indeed.
We cant expect him to put himself through that, now can we?
Quote:
Originally Posted by iam1bearcat
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Imagine it. Watching everything you have ever dreamed of, your entire life, majestically portrayed, bigger than life, on the silver screen, the lights, the makeup, the sights, the sounds, the smells, and then ripped from your grasp.
Dreams and goals are all we have. To live life without them would be devastating. No need for a reminder of his doomed existence as a "regular guy". Too much pain. Too much sorrow.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by iam1bearcat
can regular joes like Diesel even feel normal feelings like us normal people? does he even know what 'devastating', 'sorrow' and 'pain' are and mean and how they effect them? i don't think Diesel has time for all this "nonsense" with his shooting aliens and racing cars and whatnot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Behind those shiney eyes and beneath that Brunswick dome is a very delicate and sensitive person, longing for an audiences love. To be..... perfect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iam1bearcat
hmm... so instead of him bringing life to an animated creature (Iron Giant) the animated creature is bring life to him... awww...
Blast...my inner secrets have been revealed to the world
[Show spoiler]Kudos on the INCREDIBLY thought out zing
[SPOILER]After reading Squid's (I think it was Squid's) review, my interest did shift from "No" to "Hmm..." and the other night a friend of mine who has seen it twice (she said she had to go back to make sure she caught the whole thing) was almost foaming at the mouth about its awesomeness.
....but I still won't dish out $7.50 for a ticket to see it. If its on a movie channel that I have, sure, I'll give it a shot now.
I thought that King George was a robot?
Blast...my inner secrets have been revealed to the world
[Show spoiler]Kudos on the INCREDIBLY thought out zing [/SPOILER
After reading Squid's (I think it was Squid's) review, my interest did shift from "No" to "Hmm..." and the other night a friend of mine who has seen it twice (she said she had to go back to make sure she caught the whole thing) was almost foaming at the mouth about its awesomeness.
speaking of Black Swan, some friends of mine came over the other day and were telling us (the gf and i) about it a bit and i kept saying, "okay dude, that's enough, i don't wanna know anything" and they just keep talking... and then sure the F enough. definite spoiler was dropped
i was so livid. i haven't been that mad in ages lol. i literally escorted them out of my house and told them, "seriously. i told you to shut the F up and you didn't. now you totally, possibly F'd up part of the movie for me. and if you did, i'm gonna ruin every F'n film for you for the rest of your F'n life" and showed them the door.
goooodddddddddddddddddddd i HATE when people do that!
his 'defense' was that it was something that wasn't a spoiler and that 'everyone already knew' but F that. i know for sure it wasn't something that is announced in the trailer so guess what jack ass best friend? that makes it a spoiler!
end rant
Quote:
[Show spoiler]Kudos on the INCREDIBLY thought out zing
speaking of Black Swan, some friends of mine came over the other day and were telling us (the gf and i) about it a bit and i kept saying, "okay dude, that's enough, i don't wanna know anything" and they just keep talking... and then sure the F enough. definite spoiler was dropped
i was so livid. i haven't been that mad in ages lol. i literally escorted them out of my house and told them, "seriously. i told you to shut the F up and you didn't. now you totally, possibly F'd up part of the movie for me. and if you did, i'm gonna ruin every F'n film for you for the rest of your F'n life" and showed them the door.
goooodddddddddddddddddddd i HATE when people do that!
his 'defense' was that it was something that wasn't a spoiler and that 'everyone already knew' but F that. i know for sure it wasn't something that is announced in the trailer so guess what jack ass best friend? that makes it a spoiler!
end rant
Tell me what he said IN SPOILER TAGS and I'll tell you if it was a big deal.
speaking of Black Swan, some friends of mine came over the other day and were telling us (the gf and i) about it a bit and i kept saying, "okay dude, that's enough, i don't wanna know anything" and they just keep talking... and then sure the F enough. definite spoiler was dropped
i was so livid. i haven't been that mad in ages lol. i literally escorted them out of my house and told them, "seriously. i told you to shut the F up and you didn't. now you totally, possibly F'd up part of the movie for me. and if you did, i'm gonna ruin every F'n film for you for the rest of your F'n life" and showed them the door.
goooodddddddddddddddddddd i HATE when people do that!
his 'defense' was that it was something that wasn't a spoiler and that 'everyone already knew' but F that. i know for sure it wasn't something that is announced in the trailer so guess what jack ass best friend? that makes it a spoiler!
speaking of Black Swan, some friends of mine came over the other day and were telling us (the gf and i) about it a bit and i kept saying, "okay dude, that's enough, i don't wanna know anything" and they just keep talking... and then sure the F enough. definite spoiler was dropped
i was so livid. i haven't been that mad in ages lol. i literally escorted them out of my house and told them, "seriously. i told you to shut the F up and you didn't. now you totally, possibly F'd up part of the movie for me. and if you did, i'm gonna ruin every F'n film for you for the rest of your F'n life" and showed them the door.
goooodddddddddddddddddddd i HATE when people do that!
his 'defense' was that it was something that wasn't a spoiler and that 'everyone already knew' but F that. i know for sure it wasn't something that is announced in the trailer so guess what jack ass best friend? that makes it a spoiler!
end rant
[Show spoiler]Natalie Portman's character was really Diesel the whole time, wasn't it? Suiddy was right about his aspirations for ballet! I KNEW IT!!
Well, I still don't know for sure, I never got around to seeing it. At this point, I'm content to blind-buy it on disc when it comes out in March.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Shhhhh. She's really a boy, lost on an island, owned by Nazis, in the future, on our third moon, cloned, somewhere over the rainbow.
Very true. The failed jokes followed by silence definitely upped the discomfort level. As far as Kutcher, his acting didn't bother me like it did for you but I could see where you're coming from. He wasn't bad in portraying the difference in perspective between the two
[Show spoiler](i.e. you can tell he's in love the whole time).
I did think he was pretty funny, but the jokes I found funny were more attributable to the script than the actor.
[Show spoiler]
The "Congrats!" balloon after sex.
The yellow U-M sweater at the funeral.
"It looks like it's coming right at me!"
I saw it with a few female friends who found the menstrual cycle scene to be the funniest thing on Earth. "It's like a crime scene in my pants!"
Them: Me:
I did like the carrot-flowers. Cheesy but good.
I don't understand where all these glowing reviews are coming from either. The most unbearable joke I could think of was
[Show spoiler]when they were having breakfast at the end and Kutcher says, "You eat like a baby dinosaur." Terrible. Just terrible. The ghetto stage director was also pathetic.
As juvenile as it was, I did like the
[Show spoiler]you look like a pumpkin *****! line, especially because it came from Portman, who you just don't expect that from. The crime scene line was good too.
speaking of Black Swan, some friends of mine came over the other day and were telling us (the gf and i) about it a bit and i kept saying, "okay dude, that's enough, i don't wanna know anything" and they just keep talking... and then sure the F enough. definite spoiler was dropped
i was so livid. i haven't been that mad in ages lol. i literally escorted them out of my house and told them, "seriously. i told you to shut the F up and you didn't. now you totally, possibly F'd up part of the movie for me. and if you did, i'm gonna ruin every F'n film for you for the rest of your F'n life" and showed them the door.
goooodddddddddddddddddddd i HATE when people do that!
his 'defense' was that it was something that wasn't a spoiler and that 'everyone already knew' but F that. i know for sure it wasn't something that is announced in the trailer so guess what jack ass best friend? that makes it a spoiler!
end rant
I HATE when people ruin movies like that by giving stuff away.
Someone I know ruined Book of Eli for a friend of mine before he saw it.
He said, "Oh its okay, he won't know what I'm talking about. So was
[Show spoiler]he blind the whole time
?"
?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
How does that NOT ruin part of the movie!!?
/Diesel's rant
Quote:
Also, I forgot to put The A-Team in the mail this morning so I won't have The Box until Thursday. Which is also when I'm going to see The King's Speech.
How the reviewer gave this any less than a perfect rating is absolutely beyond me. Compare the blu to the dvd--it's unreal. Not only is it unreal compared to its previous versions, but it's unreal compared to all but the very best available on blu. Depth and clarity are exceptional. Dark scenes are also great. I was blown away--this is without a doubt one of the top 10 blus I've seen yet.
AQ: 4.5 (out of 5)
Most consider this to be one of the very best audio tracks in movie history. I think it's very good here but not as good as some of the best AQs, such as The Thin Red Line or Band of Brothers.
Film: 4 stars (out of 4)
Sometimes I prefer Redux, sometimes I prefer the theatrical. I think the theatrical has a better flow and the pacing is better. As far as Redux, I do think the plantation scene adds some important themes, but the playboy scene is unnecessary. This film has always disturbed me (and the water buffalo scene will always be seared in my mind) more than almost any other. At the end of the day, it's one of the finest films ever made.
Can’t get enough spy movies in the cinematic diet. “Salt” offers a lot of high-tech flair, stylish visuals, rough and gritty torture scenes (primarily in the opening scene), and a few decent car chases and shoot-outs. As fast and tense as it plays out, it’s sure to satisfy most spy-movie connoisseurs.
As far as the story goes, it’s unique…somewhat. It started off looking a little average, but
[Show spoiler]went through a totally unexpected reversal as Evelyn Salt is revealed to be a sleeper agent. From here on, I wanna say it’s a classic case of a good spy accused of bad things trying to clear her good name, but with a series of wicked flashbacks, it’s suddenly hard to figure out if I’m supposed to be rooting for her as the heroine or as a villain. She pulls through in the end, but altogether it’s an interesting twist
. The plot’s pretty turbulent, but the characters receive only marginal development. It’s not bad overall…I just wasn’t blown away or captivated by it.
The movie is well-filmed with solid photography. Acting is adequate at best; Angelina Jolie is hot and makes an okay spy. Live Schreiber is cool, but him and the rest of the cast never have any real standout performances. Writing is okay. Production value is okay; despite the ambitious action setpieces and a broad scoped story, it doesn’t look terribly expensive or complex or anything, for better or for worse. Music is kinda cool.
How the reviewer gave this any less than a perfect rating is absolutely beyond me. Compare the blu to the dvd--it's unreal. Not only is it unreal compared to its previous versions, but it's unreal compared to all but the very best available on blu. Depth and clarity are exceptional. Dark scenes are also great. I was blown away--this is without a doubt one of the top 10 blus I've seen yet.
AQ: 4.5 (out of 5)
Most consider this to be one of the very best audio tracks in movie history. I think it's very good here but not as good as some of the best AQs, such as The Thin Red Line or Band of Brothers.
Film: 4 stars (out of 4)
Sometimes I prefer Redux, sometimes I prefer the theatrical. I think the theatrical has a better flow and the pacing is better. As far as Redux, I do think the plantation scene adds some important themes, but the playboy scene is unnecessary. This film has always disturbed me (and the water buffalo scene will always be seared in my mind) more than almost any other. At the end of the day, it's one of the finest films ever made.
I HATE when people ruin movies like that by giving stuff away.
Someone I know ruined Book of Eli for a friend of mine before he saw it.
He said, "Oh its okay, he won't know what I'm talking about. So was
[Show spoiler]he blind the whole time
?"
?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
How does that NOT ruin part of the movie!!?
/Diesel's rant
yeah, i don't think some people know what a "spoiler" is or what the word means lol
Quote:
Also, I forgot to put The A-Team in the mail this morning so I won't have The Box until Thursday. Which is also when I'm going to see The King's Speech.
oh, so you'll be seeing one good movie that day
[Show spoiler]just kidding. might be two good movies. i haven't seen The King's Speech, but will, eventually.
but nothing like watching a movie everyone universally despises and then watching a contender for Best Picture this year
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
At this point, I'm content to blind-buy it on disc when it comes out in March. 
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