The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats tragic that it was spoiled for you, because the beauty of the film is the journey itself and precisely that discovery.

You pretty much arrived where most of us did on your analysis.

Honestly I cant understand how a horror movie can be great or more so beautufull as there are only select few that get that praise.

While its a good horror watch, I dont think Triangle is any close to being a "great" horror flick.

Its just overpraised in this forum.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest random selection: “Beauty and the Beast.”

Another fine Disney flick I remember growing up with, but lost total memory of it as I grew up and grew out of these silly children’s movies. Revisiting this film some 13+ years later, the whole film was familiar, and in high-def it’s very refreshing. I’ve forgotten just how great it is.

Like most other Disney films, this one is short and sweet, crammed with lots of catchy musical numbers, amusing light-hearted comedy (maybe a little too much aimed at the kids), dark intense drama, a touching romance, and a massive sense of avant-guarde enchantment. It’s a pretty fast-paced film with a little bit of everything.

The story is classic. I’ve never read the original story, so I don’t know how it compares (or even if it matters). As it is, the characters are likable and decently developed, and the story has a classy appeal. Fundamentally, the entire story could apply just as easily to any romance; aren’t all men beasts and all women beauties? It’s brilliant personifying these basic elements through the characters, and watching how they connect. This rendition is a little one-sided though: we see the beauty of the beast, but there’s no beast in the beauty…but it is Disney, so it can’t be that wicked. In the end though, I can’t help but to feel for the characters. Combined with the quality imagery, I found it all rather touching.

The film has awesome animation quality, with some gorgeous artwork, awesome character designs, lots of details and shadows, vivid colors, smooth movements, and of course, some innovative CGI work. Voice-acting is superb. Production designs are brilliant. Music is good.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, emotional impact: 4/5)

Recommendation: Yes!

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest random selection: “Beauty and the Beast.”

Another fine Disney flick I remember growing up with, but lost total memory of it as I grew up and grew out of these silly children’s movies. Revisiting this film some 13+ years later, the whole film was familiar, and in high-def it’s very refreshing. I’ve forgotten just how great it is.

Like most other Disney films, this one is short and sweet, crammed with lots of catchy musical numbers, amusing light-hearted comedy (maybe a little too much aimed at the kids), dark intense drama, a touching romance, and a massive sense of avant-guarde enchantment. It’s a pretty fast-paced film with a little bit of everything.

The story is classic. I’ve never read the original story, so I don’t know how it compares (or even if it matters). As it is, the characters are likable and decently developed, and the story has a classy appeal. Fundamentally, the entire story could apply just as easily to any romance; aren’t all men beasts and all women beauties? It’s brilliant personifying these basic elements through the characters, and watching how they connect. This rendition is a little one-sided though: we see the beauty of the beast, but there’s no beast in the beauty…but it is Disney, so it can’t be that wicked. In the end though, I can’t help but to feel for the characters. Combined with the quality imagery, I found it all rather touching.

The film has awesome animation quality, with some gorgeous artwork, awesome character designs, lots of details and shadows, vivid colors, smooth movements, and of course, some innovative CGI work. Voice-acting is superb. Production designs are brilliant. Music is good.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, emotional impact: 4/5)

Recommendation: Yes!

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

Wait till you see Tangled, which is the best Disney princess film since this one came out in the early 90s.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest random selection: “Beauty and the Beast.”

[Show spoiler]Another fine Disney flick I remember growing up with, but lost total memory of it as I grew up and grew out of these silly children’s movies. Revisiting this film some 13+ years later, the whole film was familiar, and in high-def it’s very refreshing. I’ve forgotten just how great it is.

Like most other Disney films, this one is short and sweet, crammed with lots of catchy musical numbers, amusing light-hearted comedy (maybe a little too much aimed at the kids), dark intense drama, a touching romance, and a massive sense of avant-guarde enchantment. It’s a pretty fast-paced film with a little bit of everything.

The story is classic. I’ve never read the original story, so I don’t know how it compares (or even if it matters). As it is, the characters are likable and decently developed, and the story has a classy appeal. Fundamentally, the entire story could apply just as easily to any romance; aren’t all men beasts and all women beauties? It’s brilliant personifying these basic elements through the characters, and watching how they connect. This rendition is a little one-sided though: we see the beauty of the beast, but there’s no beast in the beauty…but it is Disney, so it can’t be that wicked. In the end though, I can’t help but to feel for the characters. Combined with the quality imagery, I found it all rather touching.

The film has awesome animation quality, with some gorgeous artwork, awesome character designs, lots of details and shadows, vivid colors, smooth movements, and of course, some innovative CGI work. Voice-acting is superb. Production designs are brilliant. Music is good.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, emotional impact: 4/5)

Recommendation: Yes!

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

Movie like this should be bought rather than rented, especially as you enjoyed it.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Movie like this should be bought rather than rented, especially as you enjoyed it.

I believe it's $16 at Best Buy right now so pretty close to the price after coupon when it first came out.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Honestly I cant understand how a horror movie can be great or more so beautufull as there are only select few that get that praise.

While its a good horror watch, I dont think Triangle is any close to being a "great" horror flick.

Its just overpraised in this forum.

Its not a horror film.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Its not a horror film.

I really like Melissa George so I'll get it once it drops to $10 again.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Movie like this should be bought rather than rented, especially as you enjoyed it.

I was planning on renting it, but when I saw it was a mere $14.99 on Amazon, I jumped on it, and finally watched it today. Yep, I own it!

At this rate, I might be a bigger Disney fan as an adult than when I was a kid.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Wait till you see Tangled, which is the best Disney princess film since this one came out in the early 90s.

I plan on renting it when it comes to disc...if not blind-buying it.

I also just saw the trailer for the new "Winnie the Pooh" movie. It looks so cute!!! Brings back memories of watching the original cartoon as a kid.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I plan on renting it when it comes to disc...if not blind-buying it.

I also just saw the trailer for the new "Winnie the Pooh" movie. It looks so cute!!! Brings back memories of watching the original cartoon as a kid.

I would just blind buy it, it's dropping for $20 probably everywhere, which is more than worth it for one of Disney's best recent efforts and that way you don't have to hope for another price drop.

[Al_The_Strange]

“Alice in Wonderland” 1951.

When I was a kid, I thought this was one weird stupid film. But I loved watching it anyway. Maybe that’s why I sometimes enjoy weird stupid films…like “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die”…

As an adult, and after studying it pretty intensely for a class, I discovered that there’s more to the film than mere nonsense, even though nonsense is the selling point to the movie. It’s chock full of weird stupid stuff: it’s a surreal, manic dreamscape that’s often funny, imaginative, and hardly ever dull. All the psychedelic visuals are worth seeing just for the sake of it, but some of these scenes are darn near iconic.

In the past, I used to think the story was weak. This foray into wonderland doesn’t really have much of a point; kinda like “Inception,” the character goes in, comes out, and that’s that. But “Alice in Wonderland” has merits of its own: as a mental voyage, I believe the story is mostly about the title character discovering herself beyond the layers of childish nonsense. Perhaps it could even be a figurative coming-of-age story. Combined with some bizarre motifs, some satire, and some themes concerning the dangers of curiosity, there is certainly some method to this madness.

Like any Disney film, this one features quality animation. It looks smooth, detailed, colorful, and gorgeous overall. Voice acting is not bad (there are maybe a few cheesy parts, but I like the whole thing anyway). Production designs are freaking weird. Music is classy (yes, it is a musical too…practically nonstop music!! ).

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

Recommendation: Yes. Rent it at the least, see if you can tolerate the weirdness.

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

I would just blind buy it, it's dropping for $20 probably everywhere, which is more than worth it for one of Disney's best recent efforts and that way you don't have to hope for another price drop.

Right on! These CGI flicks haven't really dissapointed yet anyway, certainly not from Disney.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I plan on renting it when it comes to disc...if not blind-buying it.

I also just saw the trailer for the new "Winnie the Pooh" movie. It looks so cute!!! Brings back memories of watching the original cartoon as a kid.

Tangled will knock your socks off Al.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

I would just blind buy it, it's dropping for $20 probably everywhere, which is more than worth it for one of Disney's best recent efforts and that way you don't have to hope for another price drop.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Tangled will knock your socks off Al.

It's on order bosses! 4-disc combo pack ftw!

It was also a good chance to pre-order "The Outlaw Josey Wales." I've been waiting for that one.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

It's on order bosses! 4-disc combo pack ftw!
It was also a good chance to pre-order "The Outlaw Josey Wales." I've been waiting for that one.

Thats the 3D version, isnt it?

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats the 3D version, isnt it?

Yes. The regular 2D version release is a 2-disc combo pack.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats the 3D version, isnt it?

Yep, 3D BD plus a 2D BD plus a DVD plus a DC. I don't have a 3D player or TV, but I'm thinking I might get one later if I save up enough and if the technology really takes off. You never know. At least the other formats are included just in case.

Originally Posted by killowertz

Yes. The regular 2D version release is a 2-disc combo pack.

Beat me to it. For $19.99, I was tempted to cheap out on the 2-disc set.

Only two discs?! Jeez.

[Al_The_Strange]

I have time for another Disney film. Why not?

Next greatest random selection: “The Jungle Book.”

Yep, I grew up with this one too, more or less. I do remember a couple of the cool jazzy musical numbers and the stuff at the end. But upon revisiting this film, the territory is just not as familiar as it was with some of these other Disney classics. In between the memorable scenes, I felt the story dragged quite a bit and felt rather random.

The story’s not bad though. Once again, I know jack squat about the original book. As it is, the characters are rather fun, even if they aren’t terribly well-developed. Baloo is probably the coolest character since Han Solo. Even though the story seems a little directionless, it is a neat coming-of-age tale, with some interesting content concerning civilization and maturity. Watching the young lad taking advice on life from animals and ultimately emerging from the jungle (a presumably grown man now) is likely a thinly-veiled allegory, but it’s better than nothing.

Regarding the film’s quality, I think it's good. The film has decent texturing, fairly smooth movements, and an adequate amount of detail. I feel that the drawing are a bit sketchier than other Disney works though, and I can't help but to think that it's a cheaper animation. Then again, I wonder if high-def and a restoration would make this movie shine better. Who knows? As it is, the film looks slick enough. Voice-acting is alright, but once again, I feel like it’s been done better. Production designs are good (not that there was much to design anyway), and the music is a bit of a mixed bag (some of it is great, and there’s a couple of songs I couldn’t care less about.

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

I’m not really sure if I’d upgrade it to Blu-Ray if/when it comes out. Then again, this old DVD doesn’t do it much justice. I’ll wait and see…

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Honestly I cant understand how a horror movie can be great or more so beautufull as there are only select few that get that praise.

While its a good horror watch, I dont think Triangle is any close to being a "great" horror flick.

Its just overpraised in this forum.

It's not overpraised and it's not a horror film. The extent of its praise stems from the fact that it's creative, original, complex, and poignant.

[P@t_Mtl]

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 directed by Steven Spielberg with Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

This one is not the DVD but the HD broadcast on the French TV station here in Montreal, TVA. If the this is any indication, please be sure to put much of your worries aside with this movie. The Blu-ray will be spectacular. I last saw the movie back on VHS (I am not a huge fan of the movie and never got it for my own collection). The picture is incredible, very clear and far and beyond the horrible VHS I saw years ago. The story never really caught on with me. Yes it's cute and well made but it just never really hooked me in like it as for a lot of people. First time I ever saw it was back in the crazy days in 1982 when it was in theaters and you had to wait cause everything was sold out. For the younger crwod here who made not be old enough to remember those days, the multiplex days were just starting and movies never appeared on 5000 screens just in North America alone, theaters would get sold out for certain movies and this was one. Is it one of Spielberg's best? I suppose it's one could make a case for it. Me I would still say Close Encouter Of The Third Kind is a much better movie with a much better story. A lot of what make's people like E.T. is the cuteness and the kids but I fine the emotions, specially at the end are a bit too much. Yes it's too bad really, E.T. is going home but come on can you really get that much sad about an alien that was in your home for only a few days It's not like you really got to know him that well So call me a cynical old dude but it just a bit too much and to forced for me to really like.

Still, wait for the 30th Anniversary release on Blu-ray next year if you are a fan of this movie, you will love it.

PS : I forgot to mention this but the chase scene on bikes, the police had guns on this one and not the radios like the new version. Does this mean the Blu-ray will be with the old version? We shall see.