The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Unknown (theater)

Film: 2 1/2 (out of 4)


Ebert said it best when Taken came out: Liam Neeson lends credibility to even the most pedestrian of films. Here, his presence elevates the film above mediocrity but doesn't quite make it a good film. It was entertaining enough, but as many reviewers point out it's plot holes and lack of believability goes too far. In these types of films, it's important not to take things too seriously, because none of them are ever airtight and they're meant to be fun. That being said, it's just too unrealistic. Examples:

[Show spoiler]you mean to tell me that Neeson, upon realizing his past, suddenly realizes how wrong he was and gives it all up to fight for the other side?????? that makes no sense whatsoever. how about the middle eastern prince deciding to go to a party with only 2-3 bodyguards and not having the room swept for bombs before attending, when THE DAY BEFORE he escaped death at a bombing. (on that matter, how about Neeson walking through the area where the authorities were dealing with that bombing, about halfway through the film.

On a side note, it was great to see Bruno Ganz and the lead actor from The Lives of Others. Ganz is excellent but there's no point to his character, based on what happens. As for Diane Kruger, I know she's German but her attempt at an accent is laughable. Overall, see it merely for the entertainment factor but really do leave you brain at the door.

I gave it a 3.5/5. Entertaining enough, but not as good as I hoped aside from Neeson.

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

What was your take on the ending of the film?

[Show spoiler] It felt a bit contradictory to me, the killer for hire with Samurai instincts walks back into the same nightclub of a previous hit and just walks right up to his potential victim gun pulled, multiple witnesses see the gun not very stealth like. Was his intention to be shot down, just wanting to be caught because he could not bring himself to kill the piano player?

Huzzah, post #20,000!!!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I have not seen the movie, but I have to ask something. Was kruger speaking English with a German accent?

Yes.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I gave it a 3.5/5. Entertaining enough, but not as good as I hoped aside from Neeson.



Huzzah, post #20,000!!!



Yes.

Then how could her accent be bad? She was born and raised in Germany. Her accent is "real" or "natural". I have seen her interviewed and she sounds just like my Mom (who was born and raised in Germany). I always thought it was cute in the National Treasure movies how she tries to sound American, but evidence of her native tongue bleeds through in a few scenes.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Le Samourai (Criterion dvd)

Film: 4 stars (out of 4)

Synopsis: In a career-defining performance, Alain Delon plays a contract killer with samurai instincts. A razor-sharp cocktail of 1940s American gangster cinema and 1960s French pop culture—with a liberal dose of Japanese lone-warrior mythology—maverick director Jean-Pierre Melville’s masterpiece Le Samouraï defines cool.


Review: My second Melville film (after Army of Shadows, which I love) and I absolutely loved it. It really does "define cool." Delon is fascinatin as an almost wordless contract killer, living a spartan life but being intelligent enough to concoct an airtight alibi. Melville is a master at creating tension without dialogue or action--it's amazing to watch. The film was ranked #39 on Empire Magazine's best films of world cinema, last year.

I remember this being slow, but it was definitely cool. I wound up getting a copy in last fall's sale.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

What was your take on the ending of the film?

[Show spoiler] It felt a bit contradictory to me, the killer for hire with Samurai instincts walks back into the same nightclub of a previous hit and just walks right up to his potential victim gun pulled, multiple witnesses see the gun not very stealth like. Was his intention to be shot down, just wanting to be caught because he could not bring himself to kill the piano player?

I barely remember it now, but I seem to remember thinking

[Show spoiler]that he was going to whack the guy, regardless of whether or not he got caught or even left the club alive. Kinda of a kamakaze run or something; going out with a bang. But I guess he failed.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Then how could her accent be bad? She was born and raised in Germany. Her accent is "real" or "natural". I have seen her interviewed and she sounds just like my Mom (who was born and raised in Germany). I always thought it was cute in the National Treasure movies how she tries to sound American, but evidence of her native tongue bleeds through in a few scenes.

Nah, she plays it up to the point that it was laughable. There were also multiple instances of her breaking character, in that she'd accidentally drop her accent in the middle of a sentence or when quickly replying to something. I couldn't help but smile! I've seen her in interviews too and while she has an accent, it's certainly not as thick as she tries to put on in the film. It's the opposite of how Marisa Tomei used her accent in My Cousin Vinny.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Nah, she plays it up to the point that it was laughable. There were also multiple instances of her breaking character, in that she'd accidentally drop her accent in the middle of a sentence or when quickly replying to something. I couldn't help but smile! I've seen her in interviews too and while she has an accent, it's certainly not as thick as she tries to put on in the film. It's the opposite of how Marisa Tomei used her accent in My Cousin Vinny.

Weird. Failure blamed on the director then.

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I barely remember it now, but I seem to remember thinking

[Show spoiler]that he was going to whack the guy, regardless of whether or not he got caught or even left the club alive. Kinda of a kamakaze run or something; going out with a bang. But I guess he failed.

That is what left me questioning his actions,

[Show spoiler]he is so careful throughout the film, everything he does is thought out so well. I love the scenes where they switch the license plates I think there was two words spoken during those scenes. But in the end he abandons these traits and shows his hand for all to see.

[Foggy]

Drive Angry 3D

Best 3D since Avatar, and that is no lie!

I'm kinda torn, did I have fun, yes. Was I disappointed, yes. You would of thought that Nic Cage would ham up his roll more and push it to the limit, but the most you get from him is a bit of crazy eye and that's it. Most the hamming comes from the villains. That dude who plays the dad in Twilight is good in here, he puts some sort of twist onto his southern accent, so when ever he ends a sentence, it feels kind churned as it came out, which gives a few laughs. But William Fichtner is fantastic, his timing is fantastic, yet he plays his role so deadpan, not serious though.

The biggest problem in it though is the action, it feels like it pulls back from things so it isn't so blatantly ridiculous, is there daft stuff in there, of course. But that's like every 30 mins and the rest are pretty mediocre chase scenes with little special. The 3D is fantastic though when it is used, Hands, Limbs, Jaws, Cage's hair piece, all flying at you in the 3rd dimension.

It's a fun film, that doesn't take its self too seriously, yet serious enough that it doesn't turn out like Machete where it's overly zany, which feels more like a downfall than a positive.

6.5/10 - (7.5/10 in 3D)

[Monkey]

Cage's hair piece, all flying at you in the 3rd dimension.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Paris, Texas is an extraordinary film--one of the best of the 80s. The acting, directing, and writing are very powerful and memorable.

I keep thinking that the older I get I'll appreciate it more.

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Agreed, glad you liked it Q! Funny coincidence, I just popped that in today for a scene analysis paper I'm writing for my film class.

Awesome dude. You gonna be a director or something?

[iam1bearcat]

127 Hours

Year: 2010
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: James Franco
Length: 90 minutes























Emotionally devastating, completely riveting, and an awe- inspiring jaw dropping ending.

P.S. Don't read back cover of the blu, it tells how long Aron's story lasts, which I thought sucked knowing beforehand.

4.5/5

[Hep]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

127 Hours

[Show spoiler]
Year: 2010
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: James Franco
Length: 90 minutes























Emotionally devastating, completely riveting, and an awe- inspiring jaw dropping ending.

P.S. Don't read back cover of the blu, it tells how long Aron's story lasts, which I thought sucked knowing beforehand.

4.5/5

Awesome, mine should be here Friday. I hope I have enough free time this weekend to get though this one, Bambi, and Rango. Thanks for the picto-review.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Then how could her accent be bad? She was born and raised in Germany. Her accent is "real" or "natural". I have seen her interviewed and she sounds just like my Mom (who was born and raised in Germany). I always thought it was cute in the National Treasure movies how she tries to sound American, but evidence of her native tongue bleeds through in a few scenes.

Pretty much what Higgy said. She thickens the accent for the movie. It'd be like if I made a movie and started talking like a stereotypical southern hick

...okay maybe not that bad; but her natural accent definitely isn't what she uses in the film. I wish she would have because I like her natural voice.

Originally Posted by Foggy

Cage's hair piece, all flying at you in the 3rd dimension.

I don't know if I could handle that

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

127 Hours

[Show spoiler]Year: 2010
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: James Franco
Length: 90 minutes























Emotionally devastating, completely riveting, and an awe- inspiring jaw dropping ending.

P.S. Don't read back cover of the blu, it tells how long Aron's story lasts, which I thought sucked knowing beforehand.

4.5/5

Can't wait to see this.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Now why isn't this on blu-ray yet?

Maybe next year...highly doubt it'll be this year because Army of Shadows was already released and Le Cercle Rouge is coming up. Plus, I didn't see anything in the Criterion New Year's drawing indicating it'd be this year. But, at least Criterion still has the rights!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Amarcord is really something else. Take all of the Fellininess of his other films and square it and you get Amarcord. Depending on your humor, attentiveness, and taste, you will either be laughing through every frame or bored to tears. I personally think you'd enjoy it but definitely recommend watching it first.

Les Enfants is an absolute must! From that list I'll probably also get Diabolique and Red Circle. And I'm thinking about blind-buying The Double Life of Veronique. I love psychological films. Don't know anything about the others but Still Walking looks interesting.

Every time I see Blow Out I get sad because I think it says Blow-Up.

I'm not well-versed in Fellini at all, having only seen 8 1/2. I plan on getting Amarcord on netflix sometime soon though to see what I think. I'm not sold on it as a blind buy, despite loving 8 1/2.

Double Life is unbelievable. The cinematography is unlike any other film you've ever scene, I can guarantee that. Kieslowski shot the film in a golden sheen and shot through prisms and other reflective sources for a lot of shots. I also find the story quite interesting and moving--there are at least 3 scenes that are highly memorable. I'd recommend a rent though, as Kieslowski isn't a director whose films have universal appeal.

Still Walking I'll be getting in the next 2 weeks on netflix.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Double Life is unbelievable. The cinematography is unlike any other film you've ever scene, I can guarantee that. Kieslowski shot the film in a golden sheen and shot through prisms and other reflective sources for a lot of shots. I also find the story quite interesting and moving--there are at least 3 scenes that are highly memorable. I'd recommend a rent though, as Kieslowski isn't a director whose films have universal appeal.

Seen Veronique three times and it's already in my Top 20. Just incredible.

Au Revoir Les Enfants and Kes are on my wish list.

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

127 Hours

4.5/5

Saw this in theaters twice and gave it a score of 5/5 each time. I think it was severely overlooked at the Academy Awards and didn't gain attention for Boyle's dominance in 2008.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Maybe next year...highly doubt it'll be this year because Army of Shadows was already released and Le Cercle Rouge is coming up. Plus, I didn't see anything in the Criterion New Year's drawing indicating it'd be this year. But, at least Criterion still has the rights!

For sure. I definitely thought that it would be his first film released.

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I'm not well-versed in Fellini at all, having only seen 8 1/2. I plan on getting Amarcord on netflix sometime soon though to see what I think. I'm not sold on it as a blind buy, despite loving 8 1/2.

Double Life is unbelievable. The cinematography is unlike any other film you've ever scene, I can guarantee that. Kieslowski shot the film in a golden sheen and shot through prisms and other reflective sources for a lot of shots. I also find the story quite interesting and moving--there are at least 3 scenes that are highly memorable. I'd recommend a rent though, as Kieslowski isn't a director whose films have universal appeal.

Still Walking I'll be getting in the next 2 weeks on netflix.

With all our movie talk you would still lump me into "universal appeal" category?

[Show spoiler]

Well done on the off-season Criterion purchase btw.

Originally Posted by Steve46

Seen Veronique three times and it's already in my Top 20. Just incredible.

Au Revoir Les Enfants and Kes are on my wish list.

If it made Steve's tops it's hard to think I would be disappointed. Your favorites tend to sit well with me (maybe because we're the only Miyazaki fanboys on here ).

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Steve46

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

[Show spoiler]Directed by Julian Schnabel
Starring Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Max von Sydow
112 minutes

This is easily the best thing I have watched since I made an effort to see this year's 10 best picture nominees. It may be better than all of them and it's certainly a wonderful story.

This is a good test of whether you are a film fan or a movie fan. It's in French and moves pretty slowly. There's no action to speak of. What it does have is emotion and characters that I care about.

Amalric (Quantum of Solace, A Christmas Tale) plays Jean-Do, the editor of Elle magazine. The movie opens after he suffers a stroke and the camera shows his point of view with interesting use of focus and erratic framing to reflect what he might actually see. He's paralyzed apart from his left eye, which he can blink.

Despite this incredible handicap, he

[Show spoiler]dictates an entire novel detailing things from his point of view.

It's a true story and has several very moving sequences. Von Sydow is great in a cameo appearance as his father.

This is a story that will make you think and also reflect on your own existence. It made me consider how much I take for granted and the amount of time I waste. It also made me think about people who devote their lives to caring for others.

I'll be picking up the Canadian Blu-ray in the near future.

Overall 5/5

A true masterpiece. Was this your first viewing?

I was fortunate enough to see a theatrical screening of this. Speaking of, they're playing Downfall here in a few weeks. I'd love to see that on the big screen. Might go.

Originally Posted by Evra

True Grit (2010)

[Show spoiler]Who says that Hollywood remakes always turn out to be bad films? True Grit, in my opinion the best film of 2010, is a stern reminder to fans that film remakes can be good, if placed in the right pair of hands. Like what Martin Scorsese did for The Departed, the Coen Brothers’ interpretation of True Grit is superior to the original film and is one of the great films of its genre and God knows how deprived of great Western films we are in recent times.

Set around the 19th century in the Old West, True Grit tells a tale of a young 14-year old Mattie Ross seeking revenge and retribution for her deceased father murdered at the hands of a spineless scoundrel by the name of Tom Chaney (Brolin) who flees and joins up with Ned Pepper’s gang. Away from her family, Mattie Ross (Steinfeld)’ determination leads her to an alcoholic Marshall Cogburn (Bridges) to take on her case for revenge who according to the local law enforcement officers is known for showing ‘true grit.’ Accompanying Ross and Cogburn is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Damon) who is hunting and hoping to bring Chaney back to Texas for an assassination commited there.

Throughout the film and Ross and Cogburn’s journey, we learn bit-by-bit a lot about the two characters and the prices they pay for earning their ‘true grit.’ While the film’s trailers and posters advertise the actors playing Cogburn and LaBeouf (Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon respectively) having first and second billing, do not be fooled, this is primarily Mattie Ross’(Hailee Steinfeld) story. Bit by bit as the film progresses, we learn more about Ross and Cogburn’s characters and we witness some subtle changes in these characters. As the film opens, we see Rooster Cogburn literally in the dumps as an alcoholic Marshall who is drinking and smoking his way to his grave. However, in the pursuit of Tom Chaney, Rooster Cogburn regains his appetite for life and he shows great poise, accuracy and true grit which Ross admires. On the other scale of the story, we see Ross as a mature 14 year old teenager who is as single-minded as she is sure of herself but as the film progresses, we learn as she learns quickly that her sharp tongue and stubborness leads to her pitfall (pun intended if you have watched the film). However, as she learns the hard way that she may sometimes have to forgo what she wants and settle for what she can have, Ross earns the admiration of both Cogburn and LaBoeuf for showing grit that the earlier two characters deem a necessary characteristic to survive in the West.

Some people may say that True Grit marks the Coen Brothers’ attempt in making a straight-forward Hollywood film that carries little to none of the signature touches of the Coen Brothers but I certainly do not see it that way. The sharp dialogue, elements of dark humor mixed with moments of brutal violence, great acting and cinematography and the casting of Coen Brothers’ regulars are all marks of the Coen Brothers. Thematically, the Coen Brothers once again play with the idea of a predestined fate that awaits each of the characters and the film establishes this by stating early in the film that nothing is free in this world except for the grace of God. Mattie Ross pays a steep price for avenging her father’s death and just as Rooster Cogburn has an eye patch to show for his grit, we see that LaBoeuf and Ross have their own fair-share of scars to show for.

Off the heels of winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges does it again with a supremely confident performance as Rooster Cogburn who does not attempt to imitate John Wayne but rather he brings his own unique style and poise to the role. The Coen Brothers have also continued their trend of taking the mickey out of the new Hollywood rat-pack by casting another one of Ocean’s Eleven (previously Clooney and Pitt) as buffoons. Both Bridges and Damon successfully walk a fine line between comedy and drama that while being (literally) painfully funny at times does not make a mockery out of the serious escapades. Josh Brolin has limited screen time as Tom Chaney and I am surprised how different Chaney appears to be compared to the average criminal who appears with nothing more than a scowl but rather Brolin successfully humanises Chaney and for a brief moment, we feel sorry for him. However, the star of the show happens to be Hailee Steinfeld who won the role as Mattie Ross after beating 15,000 other candidates in an open casting call. I sincerely believe that it must have been a pretty easy decision to make after seeing how brilliant Steinfeld is on screen, holding her own against veterans of the calibre of Damon, Brolin and Bridges.

True Grit is probably the most accessible of films that the Coen Brothers will ever make. It is a brilliantly made film that takes a straight forward premise to a level of unparalleled brilliance with impeccable acting, gorgeous cinematography and last but certainly not least, a brilliant script as well as the assured direction from the Coen Brothers. In my opinion, True Grit is the best film of 2010 and it is my favorite Coen Brothers film.

5/5

I think this is the most positive review of True Grit I've read on this thread. Glad you enjoyed it! I didn't think it was as good as most of the nominees but definitely a good movie.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Social Network

Very good. Not great.

I strongly disliked the AK47 rapid fire dialogue and the M16 Full-Auto editing during the opening scenes with Zuckerberg and his girlfriend.

[Show spoiler]Downright annoying and distracting. Its a conversation between two people, about themselves and their relationship. Just put a camera on them and let me hear what thay have to say. No need for hyper over the top speed editing like in a Bourne fight scene. Was it there to "set the pace" for the film? Maybe. But still totally unnecessary. Felt way too deliberate, like *notice this, NOTICE THIS TECHNIQUE*

I let go of my angst and proceeded with the film.

I liked it. Some really cool camera work in some scenes. Acting was competent all around. I cared about all the characters. Really good pacing and good dialogue.

Was it just me, or did the film portray Zuckerberg in a very bad light? I've done some research but some of the parties have signed NDAs and most of the info is hush hush. The filmmakers never really give Zuckerbergs side any good ammo for his defense, and the deposition was painting a pretty grim picture of his ethics. Thats what I came away with anyway. I dont know the truth behind it all, but the film made him look like a real weasel.

The Score didnt WOW me like so many other folks have been.

Film 4/5
PQ 4.25/5
AQ 3/5 Some tastey LFE and and surround usage, but dialogue was an issue. It was not prioritized well and often sounded muffled.

lol I can tell you originally typed "hated" there. I really enjoyed reading that paragraph. I never got around to reviewing this, so here is my mini-review-response-thingy:

I definitely felt it was one of the best films of last year. The acting, editing, score, cinematography, and direction were all of the highest caliber. The pacing is gripping and fast. If you decide to take a bathroom break, be prepared to miss 5 pages of dialogue. However, Garfield's performance was overrated. And only one other complaint: little replay value.

I loved the color palette though. Think they used a special lens for that?