The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

big surprise Diesel. Let's remember, we've been through this: if a movie doesn't have explosions, car cashes or giant fighting robots, you won't like it!

But you get to hear "Rock Me Amadeus" at least 10 times in the movie. That trumps any of that action stuff.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Well Im sure I could come up with 10 films I like better for sure for 2010 but then again I dont usually like many of the Oscar nominated films as a ,ot of films they choose dont interest me and there are a lot of films that get overlooked for whatever reason. So again I could name 10 films but Im sure u wont agree as me and u are very different on film taste. I mean I know we do like some of the same films but just going buy post and seeing films u reply with etc....your taste is still quite different then mine. Not a good or bad thing just how it is. The Social Network was solid and thats it for me. Got Em!!

Agreed. Pretty good, enjoyable, not great.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

big surprise Diesel. Let's remember, we've been through this: if a movie doesn't have explosions, car cashes or giant fighting robots, you won't like it!

He likes cartoons with toys too.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Yea you have a point....I mean, who DOESN'T love that car crash in 3:10 to Yuma!

[Show spoiler]

Touche'

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Well Im sure I could come up with 10 films I like better for sure for 2010 but then again I dont usually like many of the Oscar nominated films as a ,ot of films they choose dont interest me and there are a lot of films that get overlooked for whatever reason. So again I could name 10 films but Im sure u wont agree as me and u are very different on film taste. I mean I know we do like some of the same films but just going buy post and seeing films u reply with etc....your taste is still quite different then mine. Not a good or bad thing just how it is. The Social Network was solid and thats it for me. Got Em!!

Just post the list, if I could find the thread with the top 2010 films that I posted in, I would post mine too.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Wow a Jhiggy recommended film with that low of a score? U will have sum splaining to do! lol Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Diesel

Go ahead...rip it to shreds

I feel like it has already occupied too much valuable time of my life.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Agreed. Pretty good, enjoyable, not great.

Thank you. I dont know how folks think that is a great film? Whatever floats peoples boats! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Just post the list, if I could find the thread with the top 2010 films that I posted in, I would post mine too.

Ok Ill post 10 films I think are better than The Social Network. I could post even more than 10 but Ill just try to choose the really good ones I like for sure better:

1. Frozen
2. Toy Story 3
3. How to Train Your Dragon
4. The Town
5. The Book of Eli
6. Devil
7. Unstoppable
8. Let Me In
9. Kick-Ass
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

There u go. Got Em!!

[Q?]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Not being sarcastic at all. I've been trumpeting the movie to everyone i know all year. It might be my favorite movie of the year. Black Swan affected me more at the time i was watching it, but Winters Bone stayed with me longer. I also thought, for such a low budget/indie film, that the technical aspects were quite good, as was the score, but i do have a few minor gripes about the way it was adapted from the book. Woodrell is one of my favorite writers and i wanna see him get the credit he deserves. Have you read the book?

Okay then

No I haven't read the book, I just vaguely remember seeing the trailer and the beautiful lead. It seemed the kind of movie I would like and it was. I know that most my friends would be bored to death by this movie, which is a shame. This movie unfolded so slowly and perfectly, which isn't a plus for many.

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Enter the Void

[Show spoiler]161 minutes

Year: 2010
Director: Gaspar Noe
Starring: Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta, and Olly Alexander

This may be the most difficult review I’ll ever write

Did I love Enter the Void? …No.

Did I enjoy it and am I glad I bought it? Hell yes!

Now, maybe in time with a few more viewings and letting it sink in I will like it more. Really, the only issue I have is that I’m not entirely sure what I just watched or what the message was, so it’s hard to say “I love this!” then have people ask, “what is it about or what do you think it means?” and then have me answer with a blank stare and an “I have no idea” that seems a bit hypocritical, so I will simply state that I thoroughly enjoyed the ride I was taken on, and I look forward future viewings

Now, I believe the film will divide viewers into either a love it or hate it group. If I had to choose, I would say “love it” light years ahead of “hate it”. My girlfriend however was not so much open to the film. As she so ‘kindly’ put it, “this is the worst 22 dollars you have ever spent” and numerous times throughout the film she would turn and glare at me in disgust, boredom and anger.

What is the film about? I won’t spoil anything so I’ll sum up the back cover: a brother and sister living in Tokyo. The brother (Oscar) is a drug dealer, and his sister (Linda) is a stripper. And both hate being in Tokyo and do what they do (their jobs) to “escape” being where they are. And after a tragedy befalls one of them, the film takes us on a journey of death, rebirth, and existential dilemmas. All in a massive 161 minutes…

1. The pacing / length
The film is incredibly long. At a tad over 2 and ½ hours the film definitely felt that length, and even longer to me. Sometimes not for the best. Some long films feel short and the length doesn’t detract you. But here, Enter the Void takes its damn time. This is the director’s cut, so it’s obvious anything he wanted was here because there were dozens of scenes I thought “this probably could be shorter, but I’m enjoying the experience” but this ain’t my film, this is his, so yeah. Now, because of this, some may hate the film. The first 30 minutes are a trippy, wild experience that some will be turned off by. Some hate films that deal with drug use. If so, turn away now, because you will be bored and rolling your eyes for quite a long time to come.

With that said, I enjoy films that take their time and don’t rush to plot points. This isn’t a film about an end goal (very ironic how much that statement is once you see the film) this is about the journey, and I enjoyed not being rushed and the film moving slowly.

also, i noted that the story doesn't really start until the 30 minute mark, at least. that opening act is quite odd and i was a bit put off by the lack of what i was supposed to connect to or follow.

2. The directing

Holy hullabalu! Can’t say I’ve seen directing like this before. When we follow Oscar it’s 90% first person, which may irritate some. Hell, we even get blinking! How cool is that!

The majority of the film is shown from a top down type directing style where we see the top of people’s heads instead of their faces and reactions, with a mix of wild snazzy colors and vivid effects and blurred imagery. It reminded me a lot of two very different things:

* Rez HD (Xbox 360 game) - for colors and music (look up a quick youtube video to see what i mean)
* Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - for structure and blurring of scenes and images

And watching this on blu is a real delight because of the colors and brightness, but also a good dose of grain to make the film feel real and not look or come off as Speed Racer.

3. What does it all mean?

Of course, only read the following if you’ve seen the film!

[Show spoiler]I loved the relationship dynamic between Oscar and Linda. And I loved seeing how close they were to each other in their lives and what they went through and survived. However, of course, there is an oddity here in that this relationship is TOO CLOSE for comfort and just wrong on a lot of levels. Did something make them this way? Or is this just how they came to be? No idea, but way too close of a relationship for a brother and sister. Creepy levels a constant 8, many times a 10.

Now, after Oscar dies, is he what is floating around in all the scenes? I assume so since that’s when the directing changes (when he dies). But, as the film ends, is she giving birth to him reincarnated? - remember the conversation with Victor as they walked to “The Void” about repeating life over and over again, and when the camera zooms in to her being impregnated. Very weird and creepy.

There are two very “what the F…” scenes in the film. One of which involves something that many may hate and turn the film off in disgust over, but nothing is actually SHOWN, but obviously there is no denying what is happening. And the other, at the end of the film, made me laugh out loud in exasperated delusion at the ridiculousness of such a scene needing to be included. But to each their own

So, with that said, Enter the Void is recommended, but I would suggest knowing what you’re getting into and reading up a bit on the film before renting it. It is incredibly well made, and Huerta’s performance is very good (Brown is average at best and luckily his performance doesn’t call for a lot of screen time / dialogue so he doesn’t bring down any scenes he’s in) and the directing and visuals are a real treat. But the pace and story will confuse, bore and cause some to give up and not see what many others will see.

I hope I haven’t been too confusing or cryptic with this review

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 5/5

First viewing score: 3.5/5

Great review bearcat, my thoughts exactly though I've given it a 9/10 myself. It stays with you quite awhile, why the higher rating.

[Marcus Wright]

Wow, jam1bearcat, you review so many movies and so long.
It seems as if you do it as a job.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Q?

Great review bearcat, my thoughts exactly though I've given it a 9/10 myself. It stays with you quite awhile, why the higher rating.

thanks Q? i've been reading some reviews and thoughts on the film and while i think i have a better grasp, i am excited to go back and view it again. it's the type of film that i think demands repeat viewings to fully understand it and give it a solid review. i couldn't imagine being a "professional" journalist, seeing this once and then writing a review for the world to see. almost impossible i would say.

but then again, for me, almost all films are like that

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Wow, am1bearcat, you review so many movies and so long.
It seems as if you do it as a job.

haha, i would love to review films as a career! as it is though, i'm just a 23 year old film geek who can't shut his mouth soon enough when writing down my thoughts

[iam1bearcat]

Dan in Real Life

93 minutes

year: 2007
director: Peter Hedges
starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Minoche, and Dane Cook

another blind buy!

i was always interested in seeing Dan in Real Life, but very little pushed me to seeing or even buying it. but, some strong praise in this forum made me look at it, and a new job and a $9.99 price tag made me take the leap to purchase it

so was it worth it?

absolutely!

at first i was worried. i thought, "oh, how original. a single dad with kids who is a bit goofy and out of 'loop' and has a quirky family. never seen that before" and while yes, that is how Dan in Real Life is, there is a hell of a lot more here. a lot more heart. a lot more laughs. a real feeling of authenticity and warmth that a lot of family films lack. Dan in Real Life is a perfect example of a feel good film

Carell is a gifted actor who can, at times, really showcase a lot of emotion with his voice and facial expressions and he does a dynamite job here. Juliette Minoche, who i've never heard of before, does a great job as well and plays pretty well off Carell with her presence. and while not a comedy actress, she handles her scenes well with a veteran actor. hell, even Dane Cook is great here (yes, great). while not a fan of his generic comedy, he always brings a strong exuberance to his films and adds an energy to scenes he takes part in. this is no exception.

i found myself liking the film more and more as it went on. not to say it started bad, but the film just picked up humor, emotion and feelings as it moved along. i couldn't tell you why the entire family is at the cabin, don't think it's necessary for the film, and it didn't effect my enjoyment of the film.

great cast, wonderful feel good story about finding love and learning about life and how different it is to actually live life in the moment instead of looking back on it and writing / critiquing it (we've all been talking to a friend and give advice about something but then forget that advice ourselves, right?). great atmosphere (very important ) and a real warmth the film gives off make this a resounding success.

highly recommended. won't ever win any awards in my book, but not every film needs to.

and who wouldn't laugh / squirm at that

[Show spoiler]shower

scene? and who wouldn't feel their heart drop when Dan

[Show spoiler]sings the end of the song in front of everyone

?

great stuff

4.5/5

[jvince]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Dan in Real Life

93 minutes

year: 2007
director: Peter Hedges
starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Minoche, and Dane Cook

another blind buy!

i was always interested in seeing Dan in Real Life, but very little pushed me to seeing or even buying it. but, some strong praise in this forum made me look at it, and a new job and a $9.99 price tag made me take the leap to purchase it

so was it worth it?

absolutely!

at first i was worried. i thought, "oh, how original. a single dad with kids who is a bit goofy and out of 'loop' and has a quirky family. never seen that before" and while yes, that is how Dan in Real Life is, there is a hell of a lot more here. a lot more heart. a lot more laughs. a real feeling of authenticity and warmth that a lot of family films lack. Dan in Real Life is a perfect example of a feel good film

Carell is a gifted actor who can, at times, really showcase a lot of emotion with his voice and facial expressions and he does a dynamite job here. Juliette Minoche, who i've never heard of before, does a great job as well and plays pretty well off Carell with her presence. and while not a comedy actress, she handles her scenes well with a veteran actor. hell, even Dane Cook is great here (yes, great). while not a fan of his generic comedy, he always brings a strong exuberance to his films and adds an energy to scenes he takes part in. this is no exception.

i found myself liking the film more and more as it went on. not to say it started bad, but the film just picked up humor, emotion and feelings as it moved along. i couldn't tell you why the entire family is at the cabin, don't think it's necessary for the film, and it didn't effect my enjoyment of the film.

great cast, wonderful feel good story about finding love and learning about life and how different it is to actually live life in the moment instead of looking back on it and writing / critiquing it (we've all been talking to a friend and give advice about something but then forget that advice ourselves, right?). great atmosphere (very important ) and a real warmth the film gives off make this a resounding success.

highly recommended. won't ever win any awards in my book, but not every film needs to.

and who wouldn't laugh / squirm at that

[Show spoiler]shower

scene? and who wouldn't feel their heart drop when Dan

[Show spoiler]sings the end of the song in front of everyone

?

great stuff

4.5/5

The movie was good, but it's not really anything special. I'd say it's about a 3.5/5.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Ok Ill post 10 films I think are better than The Social Network. I could post even more than 10 but Ill just try to choose the really good ones I like for sure better:

1. Frozen
2. Toy Story 3
3. How to Train Your Dragon
4. The Town
5. The Book of Eli
6. Devil
7. Unstoppable
8. Let Me In
9. Kick-Ass
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

There u go. Got Em!!

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Adventureland

[Show spoiler]year: 2009
director: greg mottola
starring: jesse eisenberg, kristen stewart, and bill hader

come one, come all to what happens when you market a film for the completely wrong market!

this may sound harsh, but whomever marketed this film should be terminated. at least not in charge or allowed to market a film by themselves for about 15 years so they can learn how to actually do such a thing because whoever advertised and marketed Adventureland completely dropped the ball on this one.

let's point out some mistakes on the cover!

1. it says "from the director Superbad"

2. the caption on the bottom says "truly hilarious" by Ann Hornaday

3. the cover art itself is goofy and has Ryan Reynolds, Jesse Eisenberg and Bill Hader with a killer mustache on it, emphasizing big laughs and a raunchy comedy.



just because Mottola directed Superbad doesn't mean you should advertise that here. that's like saying if Nolan directs a slow burning romantic comedy the cover should say "from the director of THE DARK KNIGHT & INCEPTION!". yes, that may sell some copies, but it will piss people off because they will be expecting that.

of course, Adventureland wasn't a big release so they probably did put Mottola / Superbad line on the cover to catch attention and sell units, but still...

but that's not at all what Adventureland is about. and while i, and many others love the film for what it is - with it's terrific score by many great musical acts, 80's setting, moody atmosphere, slow burning story and melancholy characters - i can only imagine how many walked away pissed, confused and bored because this didn't turn out to be "Superbad 2.0" which is a real shame because this is a hell of a film!

almost impossible for me to explain how much i connected with Adventureland on my first viewing months ago, and now again tonight but i just did. i was born in 88 so i wasn't alive during this time. i never worked at an amusement park. and i never had a relationship with a girl that looked and acted like Kirsten Stewart (who really isn't a good actress, but i really like her character and performance here, which is odd, because this is essentially what all her performances are like). yet, i looooooove this film.

the dialogue is wonderful and real, the characters are flawed, honest and feel like genuine people, and the relationship between Eisenberg and Stewart's characters is great and has a real chemistry of a girl that seems to know what's going on and a guy who's new to and awkward with relationships.

there is humor, but most of it is not in the typical stupid "dirty" humor. of course, there is that one character that does all the cliched "dumb teenager" gag humor but it's actually pretty funny since it comes in waves and is not relentlessly annoying

first viewing i gave it a 4.5/5 although i had no real flaws with the film. same goes for this viewing, but i'm only gonna move it up a bit to 4.75/5 for the time being. although, in all likelihood this will become a 5/5 as it is already in my personal top 50. love it

highly recommended!

4.75/5

Spot on review Bearcat. I love this movie, and I keep meaning to pick it up and haven't done so...It was great coming of age tale, with some great performances, and really well directed. I really liked the soundtrack as well.

[volcomsocal]

Cars - 2006

I enjoyed this one. Entertaining movie throughout. Funny script, good story, and great characters. PQ was top notch... VERY clear. AQ was fantastic! Those engines flying by, man!! Good stuff. Great family movie.

PQ - 5/5
AQ - 5/5

3.5/5

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Dan in Real Life

[Show spoiler]93 minutes

year: 2007
director: Peter Hedges
starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Minoche, and Dane Cook

another blind buy!

i was always interested in seeing Dan in Real Life, but very little pushed me to seeing or even buying it. but, some strong praise in this forum made me look at it, and a new job and a $9.99 price tag made me take the leap to purchase it

so was it worth it?

absolutely!

at first i was worried. i thought, "oh, how original. a single dad with kids who is a bit goofy and out of 'loop' and has a quirky family. never seen that before" and while yes, that is how Dan in Real Life is, there is a hell of a lot more here. a lot more heart. a lot more laughs. a real feeling of authenticity and warmth that a lot of family films lack. Dan in Real Life is a perfect example of a feel good film

Carell is a gifted actor who can, at times, really showcase a lot of emotion with his voice and facial expressions and he does a dynamite job here. Juliette Minoche, who i've never heard of before, does a great job as well and plays pretty well off Carell with her presence. and while not a comedy actress, she handles her scenes well with a veteran actor. hell, even Dane Cook is great here (yes, great). while not a fan of his generic comedy, he always brings a strong exuberance to his films and adds an energy to scenes he takes part in. this is no exception.

i found myself liking the film more and more as it went on. not to say it started bad, but the film just picked up humor, emotion and feelings as it moved along. i couldn't tell you why the entire family is at the cabin, don't think it's necessary for the film, and it didn't effect my enjoyment of the film.

great cast, wonderful feel good story about finding love and learning about life and how different it is to actually live life in the moment instead of looking back on it and writing / critiquing it (we've all been talking to a friend and give advice about something but then forget that advice ourselves, right?). great atmosphere (very important ) and a real warmth the film gives off make this a resounding success.

highly recommended. won't ever win any awards in my book, but not every film needs to.

and who wouldn't laugh / squirm at that

[Show spoiler]shower

scene? and who wouldn't feel their heart drop when Dan

[Show spoiler]sings the end of the song in front of everyone

?

great stuff

4.5/5

I thought you'd like it!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jvince

The movie was good, but it's not really anything special. I'd say it's about a 3.5/5.

i thought there was something quite special with the bonding and chemistry between the cast. a lot of films lack that. was nice to see a film that felt like it had real people reacting and not just acting out scripted scenes (even if that is what they were in fact doing)

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Spot on review Bearcat. I love this movie, and I keep meaning to pick it up and haven't done so...It was great coming of age tale, with some great performances, and really well directed. I really liked the soundtrack as well.

thanks pj! i didn't want to drop $24 on it, but i thought, "eh, F it. i love it. it's worth it" and it totally was / is love the soundtrack too.
great stuff

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I thought you'd like it!

definitely! i was surprised by how much i did. thanks for the recommendation (and thanks to Squid too!)

[Steve46]

I've watched six movies since my last review (The Warriors).

Knowing
Directed by Alex Proyas
Starring Nicolas Cage
121 minutes

I like Dark City and I, Robot and this is of similar quality. Cage restrains himself somewhat and plays the role of Professor John Koestler pretty straight. It's a sci-fi drama based around a 50-year-old sheet of paper covered in numbers which was put in a school's time capsule by a young girl. What do the numbers mean?

The look and feel of the movie benefits from the Blu-ray treatment. It's a decent thriller. Overall 4/5

Then a friend visited and we watched three more titles:

The Kids Are All Right. Previously reviewed by me around six weeks ago. I still have the same opinion of it. There are some amusing moments and one great scene about music, but nothing too memorable. Bening, Moore and Ruffalo all play their roles well. It's 3.5/5 at best.

Despicable Me. I stand by my score of 3.5/5 for this one too. It looks great of course and has its moments, but it's a fairly standard plot with nothing of any great meaning. Throw away entertainment. Most people love it though.

Bambi. Another good transfer by Disney and a story that actually means something. It's a shame it isn't longer than 70 minutes. The cut scene with the two leaves talking should have been left in for a start. A charming coming of age story. Overall 4.5/5.

Then last night I thought I would treat myself to two favorites newly acquired on Blu-ray.

The remastered version of Memento. Definite improvement in the transfer. A clever and intriguing plot told in an unconventional way. It's in my Top 25 of all time so I'm sticking with 5/5.

And finally, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I watched it on a DVD borrowed from the library a few weeks ago. The Canadian Blu-ray is obviously a big improvement. It's not the kind of film that would ever be reference quality because so many of the scenes are stylized. Some are deliberately out of focus so that we see things from Bauby's POV. Others are flashbacks or photos. Clarity is good when it is supposed to be and I was happy with the transfer (4/5 for PQ). The film itself is incredibly moving. Not for those who can't handle slow-paced stories or those who hate subtitles. This is a film for people who are open to being moved emotionally and capable of empathy. Overall 5/5.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Thank you. I dont know how folks think that is a great film? Whatever floats peoples boats! Got Em!!



Ok Ill post 10 films I think are better than The Social Network. I could post even more than 10 but Ill just try to choose the really good ones I like for sure better:

1. Frozen
2. Toy Story 3
3. How to Train Your Dragon
4. The Town
5. The Book of Eli
6. Devil
7. Unstoppable
8. Let Me In
9. Kick-Ass
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

There u go. Got Em!!

Fair enough, but here's the thing: you're picking films that you like better, as opposed to films that you rationally could think are better. Liking a film better is distinct from the film actually being better. For instance, I like The Fountain better than Raging Bull, but Raging Bull is a better film (I still love that film).

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Fair enough, but here's the thing: you're picking films that you like better, as opposed to films that you rationally could think are better. Liking a film better is distinct from the film actually being better. For instance, I like The Fountain better than Raging Bull, but Raging Bull is a better film (I still love that film).

I think Czar has said this before, not sure, and he can correct me if I'm wrong, but for Czar there is no difference. If he likes / loves a film, that's a better film than something he dislikes. In all categories. So if Czar likes Menace II Society more than The Godfather, then Menace is a better film. To him.

Again, I could be wrong, but I think Czar had a discussion like that with Squid and a few others once.