The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Alice in Wonderland (1951) [74 minutes]

Year: 1951
Directors: Clyde Geronimi & Wilfred Jackson

what a weird effin' film

[Show spoiler]
another blind buy today. only reason i bought it was because i could get it for $10 otherwise i never would have even considered or been interested in Alice in Wonderland, so way to go Disney, you suckered me in and you succeeded with your sneaky awesome sales tactics. and i'm pretty damn glad i picked it up

i think, but not sure, that this is the first film i have ever watched that contained absolutely no story whatsoever i mean seriously, there is NOTHING here as far as a story is concerned. Alice chases a white rabbit into Wonderland and while looking for it meets a bunch of really odd characters. that's it. every scene is just her finding something / someone new until she decides she wants to go home. then she meets the Queen. then she goes home. lol that's it.

but is that bad? no. the visuals and bright colors are very hypnotizing and understand now why some of my more "shady" friends would spend hours on end "preparing" for Alice in Wonderland and then just "zone out" for hours and days while watching it on repeat. but even with a very clear mind, this was trippy, exotic, original and vastly entertaining.

some may find a few characters irritatingly basic and simple (almost all of them have one feature and that's it: in a panic, hyper off tea, mean, worrisome) but who cares? i sure didn't. i wasn't expecting deep philosophical magic or anything. and i wasn't expecting a heartfelt journey through a Pixar film.

+500,000,000 for just oozing with originality

i really liked it and i can see myself watching this quite a bit as time goes on. it's a fun way to spend 74 minutes and really doesn't feel or look like it was made in 1951. sure, some characters sing songs, and i hate that but it ends pretty quickly. i was first worried because the film starts just as i was afraid of - people in nature singing and looking very out of 1951, but once Alice enters Wonderland, it loses that feel entirely. thank god

an excellent addition to my collection

PQ: 5/5 looks amazing. even though it isn't widescreen or whatever (shown here in original aspect ratio which i respect)
AQ: 4/5 lots going on, but all dialogue is well heard and sound is greatly all over the place

4/5

I thought the same thing as a kid and thought this film was just whatever. I saw it as an adult and was effectively blown away by the animation quality, the visuals, the dynamics of the "story" (specially as a possible mental-journey), the music, the comedy, and everything; it's a blast. Hence my love of Disney was rekindled.

I gave it the same rating, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Oh God, I hope I ordered this on BD...

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Prejudger X 3

Originally Posted by CZAR

I didnt say they would suck or anything. I am just not interested. There is a difference. Got Em!!

But...but...

Originally Posted by CZAR

The difference is I atleast give these movies a shot. Its ok to predict how much u may like a film but to not watch it period is what a real prejudger is! Got Em!!

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

But...but...

I typed that off a 5th of Hen! Haha Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

I typed that off a 5th of Hen! Haha Got Em!!

Typing and drinking, a dangerous combo.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Oh God, I hope I ordered this on BD...

why not use the $10 coupon to pick this up for $10?!

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Typing and drinking, a dangerous combo.

U aint never lied haha. But on the real yea I think there are always gonna be films that we dont view because of one thing or another. I just hate when someone bashed a film they never seen. I think thats more of what irritates me then just not being interested. Got Em!!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Typing and drinking, a dangerous combo.

usual results: the need for a new keyboard after either spilling alcohol on it, or vomiting on it

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Yea he turns into Malcolm X in that film! Its a very good movie although its very long but the performance is 2nd to none in my book. Remember the Titans is in my top 5 films of all time I believe. Top 10 for sure. Got Em!!

I don't enjoy Titans THAT much, but its a darn good movie that I have seen probably 5-10 times

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Bad Boys.” The first one.

[Show spoiler]Coming from Michael Bay, you know it’s going to have ‘splosions, fights, chases, hot women, fast cars, bad jokes, etc. There is certainly quite a bit of all that in this movie. Compared to every other Bay movie though, “Bad Boys” is relatively mild. Just a couple of car chases, some modest explosions, plenty of gunfights…not quite as big-scale or visually vivid as “Bad Boys II,” or “Transformers,” or “The Island,” or even “The Rock.” Watching “Bad Boys” feels a lot like an early Tony Scott movie, or a hyped-up “Lethal Weapon,” or any number of other action-packed cop movies. As such it would fit very well among them; I just expected a little stronger punch.

Whether on its own merits or not, “Bad Boys” certainly entertains. The action is decent. The comedy is not bad. The whole story moves at a brisk pace and packs a whole lot into two hours, smoothly rolling from one fun scene to the next.

The story is not too bad either. It’s pretty original and provides a substantial excuse to push the two main characters to their limits, throwing their personal lives into jeopardy with everything else. As such, the characters are pretty likable and adequately developed.

As a film, the movie has solid photography with a few bright spots and quite a few interesting camera angles (just not as many as in other Bay films). Editing can be a bit nutty and confusing in some scenes (…but what else is new? ). Acting is not too bad for this kind of film. Production value is modest. Music is alright.

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

Recommendation: Sure.

Compared to the sequel, it is indeed as all of ya’ll have said: this first film has the better story, but #2 has the better action and visuals. I believe both “Bad Boys” films can be judged the same way both “Transformers” films are: the first film in both franchises have the better story, better comedy, etc, while the second one have the bigger action, bigger budgets, but worse substance.

I think I gave it a 3.5. Enjoyable.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Yeah... I heard it was kinda good.

Like I said, I haven't seen anything about it (previews or anything), so I have no expectations and hardly any immediate interest. Everyone's reviews on this thread (and your insistence) will likely spur me to check it out.

Might have to change it to a "will rent." Just maybe.

Batman is in it; you'll love it.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

But...but...

BUSTED!


_____


On a side note, I just ordered one of my favorite comedies (if not my favorite): Rush Hour
$10.99 on Amazon.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

usual results: the need for a new keyboard after either spilling alcohol on it, or vomiting on it

Or in my case typing something not fully explained haha. Got Em!!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

On a side note, I just ordered one of my favorite comedies (if not my favorite): Rush Hour
$10.99 on Amazon.

saw Rush Hour in theaters when it came out. never seen it since and have no urge to ever see it again. no idea why. i enjoyed it in theaters, but it's just one of those very few titles that i enjoyed, but found very bland in a way, and probably wouldn't pick up even if it was like $5.

weird i know, but it's just something that never really made me laugh or really made me enjoy it...

Originally Posted by CZAR

Or in my case typing something not fully explained haha. Got Em!!

very true. been there!

[CZAR]

Step Up 3D - I already reviewed this film once. This time I watched it in 3D at my friends over the weekend. All I have to sat is that now I want me a 3D tv. It was absolutely fantastic. The entire experience was beautiful. This was the only other film that used the same technology as Avatar as far as the 3D goes. I plan to own a 3D tv by the end of the year if I am lucky.


Janky Promoters - Had this on the DVR and because the film is about a real promoter in a city thats just over an hour away from me I wanted to watch this. It had its funny moments and was overall enjoyable actually. It wasnt no Friday or anything like that but due to the fact that it was made about a real dude is is considered a janky promoter it made it a funnier film. If u like Mike Epps and or Ice Cube I would recommend this.

Film Rating - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

saw Rush Hour in theaters when it came out. never seen it since and have no urge to ever see it again. no idea why. i enjoyed it in theaters, but it's just one of those very few titles that i enjoyed, but found very bland in a way, and probably wouldn't pick up even if it was like $5.

weird i know, but it's just something that never really made me laugh or really made me enjoy it...

Please click here.

[Show spoiler]

I LOVE Rush Hour, I haven't seen it since early last year, or maybe even late 2009 I think though .
And it just popped into my head that I didn't include it on my Top 15 list
It is easily in my Top 10 movies; I think the time since I last saw it helped me to forget to include it like with Gump.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Please click here.

[Show spoiler]

that was so awesome

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

that was so awesome

New keyboard/monitor awesome?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Or in my case typing something not fully explained haha. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Diesel

BUSTED!

Accurate!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

New keyboard/monitor awesome?

close, but no cigar

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

close, but no cigar

[lDlisturb3d]

Friendly HI and Black Swan better win Best Picture. Ok back to work...

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Alice in Wonderland (1951) [74 minutes]

Year: 1951
Directors: Clyde Geronimi & Wilfred Jackson

[Show spoiler]
what a weird effin' film

another blind buy today. only reason i bought it was because i could get it for $10 otherwise i never would have even considered or been interested in Alice in Wonderland, so way to go Disney, you suckered me in and you succeeded with your sneaky awesome sales tactics. and i'm pretty damn glad i picked it up

i think, but not sure, that this is the first film i have ever watched that contained absolutely no story whatsoever i mean seriously, there is NOTHING here as far as a story is concerned. Alice chases a white rabbit into Wonderland and while looking for it meets a bunch of really odd characters. that's it. every scene is just her finding something / someone new until she decides she wants to go home. then she meets the Queen. then she goes home. lol that's it.

but is that bad? no. the visuals and bright colors are very hypnotizing and understand now why some of my more "shady" friends would spend hours on end "preparing" for Alice in Wonderland and then just "zone out" for hours and days while watching it on repeat. but even with a very clear mind, this was trippy, exotic, original and vastly entertaining.

some may find a few characters irritatingly basic and simple (almost all of them have one feature and that's it: in a panic, hyper off tea, mean, worrisome) but who cares? i sure didn't. i wasn't expecting deep philosophical magic or anything. and i wasn't expecting a heartfelt journey through a Pixar film.

+500,000,000 for just oozing with originality

i really liked it and i can see myself watching this quite a bit as time goes on. it's a fun way to spend 74 minutes and really doesn't feel or look like it was made in 1951. sure, some characters sing songs, and i hate that but it ends pretty quickly. i was first worried because the film starts just as i was afraid of - people in nature singing and looking very out of 1951, but once Alice enters Wonderland, it loses that feel entirely. thank god

an excellent addition to my collection

PQ: 5/5 looks amazing. even though it isn't widescreen or whatever (shown here in original aspect ratio which i respect)
AQ: 4/5 lots going on, but all dialogue is well heard and sound is greatly all over the place

4/5

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully I feel the same after watching it whenever I get to it.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Never Let Me Go:


What a hauntingly depressing film. The film follows three young friends who were born to be organ donors. They know they can only survive three "treatments", so they do what they can to experience life in the time they have.

Kathy (Mulligan) is in love with Tommy (Garfield) from the moment they meet. But like most relationships, nothing happens. Tommy is dating Ruth (Knightly) Kathy's best friend. Harships insue.

The film follows the emotional journy of Kathy, experiencing love, loss and hope through her eyes. Mulligan is exceptional in the role, bring a sense of sorrow to nearly every scene. It's a great performance, and it's a shame all the awards passed her over. Same goes for Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightly. Andrew is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and it was refreshing to see Knightly not as a pirate or a duchess.

The direction from Romanek is suitably subtle, with one of the more emotional musical scores of the year punching up the sorrow knob. The film isn't necessarily sad, but it gives off a very depressing tone that isn't suitable for anyone with thoughts of suicide.

It's a great movie, only, I feel it was missing something. That small piece that could have made it a masterpiece rather than just being a very good film.

8.5/10