The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jvince

Genre: Drama / Adventure / Comedy
Synopsis: Four boys set out on a search for a missing teenager and have the adventure of their lives.
Running Time: 89 minutes

[Show spoiler]
Director: Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride)
Writers: Stephen King (The Shawshank Redemption), Raynold Gideon (Starman), Bruce A. Evans (Mr. Brooks)
Stars: Wil Wheaton (The Secret of NIMH), River Phoenix (Running on Empty), Corey Feldman (The Goonies), Jerry O'Connell (Jerry Maguire), Kiefer Sutherland (24), Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws), John Cusack (Say Anything...)

Is this the best Stephen King film adaptation to date?

It's certainly arguable.

Is this the most impeccable child ensemble of all time?

A resounding yes.

Is this the greatest coming-of-age film ever made?

Most definitely. There's just no conceivable way in hell that there is or will be any other better than this. "Stand by Me" is unquestionably one f*cking epic masterpiece.

The direction. The plot. The acting. The cinematography. The characterization. The score. Everything. This is exactly the kind of movie-making perfection you will rarely get to experience in an entire lifetime. The characters are so well fleshed out, you'd think they are real. By the end, you'd feel as if you already know them so well; you'd feel as if you were the fifth member of the gang. The beautifully-shot scenery and the excellent 50s soundtrack compliment each other effectively, evoking a smooth and sublime tone all throughout. I am now absolutely convinced that Rob Reiner is a master director just like Stephen King is a master auteur. How he brings King's story to life is just pitch-perfect. Reiner gets everything right, melding every single element into wonderful, cinematic magic.

The acting displayed here are some of the strongest I have ever seen, which is even more astounding given the fact that the majority of the characters are portrayed by young actors. Standouts are Corey Feldman who is electric as the eccentric Teddy, and a young Kiefer Sutherland as the unflinchingly cold-blooded monster of a bully Ace. Everyone in this film is just so natural that whoever was the casting director rightfully deserves a lifetime achievement award just for managing to gather together such outstanding talent and forming such an immortal ensemble.

Timeless and universal, "Stand by Me" is the quintessential coming-of-age movie. This is the kind of film that will certainly stay close to your heart forever just as I'm sure it will in mine. If there is ever a list of films you must see before you die, this goes right on top. So, to everyone and everybody who has yet to see "Stand by Me," what are you waiting for? I highly recommend it... sincerely.

Rating: ***** out of 5

"Chopper, sic balls!"

It is a darn good film, and I can't wait to get the BD, any day now!

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

"Chopper, sic balls!"

It is a darn good film, and I can't wait to get the BD, any day now!

Haha, I loved that part. There are just so many memorable scenes in that movie. The BD is definitely a must-buy for me.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Seven Samurai came on lastnight and I watched about 5 minutes of it. Damn it looks very old and dated but I have heard nuthin but great things about it. Got Em!!

It's a good one but it's a long one so I am not sure it would be a good idea to start with that since you are not too hot on the subs

I am thinking of a Korean comedy, not too long and a new one that won't seem so old, something modern maybe? I think after a while you won't even notice the subtitles.

Of course don't force yourself, there is nothing worse then going into a movie thinking you are oblige of seeing it. My friend is the same as you, he just does not like the subtitles. It just that it's missing on certain very good movies, even more so today where at times Hollywood is just not giving us as many interesting good movies with originality They have some but they seem so few at times. Foreign cinema can be very interesting with very cool stories.

[Lepidopterous]

Looks like Schnabel's Miral is opening to pretty bad reviews. That's unfortunate.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

all this talk about The Orphanage makes me wanna watch my copy now



i always make sure to tell you how i relly feel

I relly dropped the ball.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Looks like Schnabel's Miral is opening to pretty bad reviews. That's unfortunate.

Slamage.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

It's a good one but it's a long one so I am not sure it would be a good idea to start with that since you are not too hot on the subs

I am thinking of a Korean comedy, not too long and a new one that won't seem so old, something modern maybe? I think after a while you won't even notice the subtitles.

Of course don't force yourself, there is nothing worse then going into a movie thinking you are oblige of seeing it. My friend is the same as you, he just does not like the subtitles. It just that it's missing on certain very good movies, even more so today where at times Hollywood is just not giving us as many interesting good movies with originality They have some but they seem so few at times. Foreign cinema can be very interesting with very cool stories.

I gotcha. Got Em!!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by CZAR

I gotcha. Got Em!!

El Laberinto del Fauno and Let the Right One In are two of the best horror films ever, you really are missing out on some of the best films horror has to offer by avoiding films with subtitles.

[CZAR]

Saw IV - Reviewed this one not to long ago but I re-watched it last night to get more familiar and pickup what I may have missed. This time around I enjoyed it a bit more than the first time. Of course its not as good as the first film but up to this point I like it better than the 3rd film. Some cool traps as usual and I liked how this one

[Show spoiler]took place at the same time part III took place.

The effects were really good and just another cool sequel to add to this growing horror franchise. Got Em!!

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

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

El Laberinto del Fauno and Let the Right One In are two of the best horror films ever, you really are missing out on some of the best films horror has to offer by avoiding films with subtitles.

Well Ive heard Let Me In was better so Im good lol. Got Em!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Well Ive heard Let Me In was better so Im good lol. Got Em!!

I've yet to hear anyone say Let Me In was better, although it has been acclaimed for not doing a total disservice to the original.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Slamage.

Yeah--how disappointing is this? Schnabel created two of the finest films of the 2000s, in Before Night Falls and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (and created a well-resected biopic of Basquiat in 1996). The plot seems ripe for an excellent film--an orphanage created in Jerusalem by a Muslim during the creation of the state of Israel??? It seems almost impossible to mess up this badly, but the reviews are consistent in slamming the casting choices and stagnant direction.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I've yet to hear anyone say Let Me In was better, although it has been acclaimed for not doing a total disservice to the original.

There are people on this site alone who have said its better! Got Em!!

[Realist01]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

It's a good one but it's a long one so I am not sure it would be a good idea to start with that since you are not too hot on the subs

I am thinking of a Korean comedy, not too long and a new one that won't seem so old, something modern maybe? I think after a while you won't even notice the subtitles.

Of course don't force yourself, there is nothing worse then going into a movie thinking you are oblige of seeing it. My friend is the same as you, he just does not like the subtitles. It just that it's missing on certain very good movies, even more so today where at times Hollywood is just not giving us as many interesting good movies with originality They have some but they seem so few at times. Foreign cinema can be very interesting with very cool stories.

I absolutely love Seven Samurai. It's one of the few over three hour movies that I don't fall asleep during. Toshiro Mifune performance is amazing. I have been on a Akira Kurosawa kick lately. Watched Red Beard last night. Another great movie.

9.25/10 - Red Beard
10/10 - Seven Samurai

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

There are people on this site alone who have said its better! Got Em!!

They are Not Sufficiently Evolved.

[Walts Ghost]

Czar, a few I'd check out:
-Let the Right One In
-Battle Royale
-The Orphanage
-Infernal Affairs
-Police Story
-Legend

Honestly, just about any of Jet Li's and Jackie Chan's action movies.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CZAR

There are people on this site alone who have said its better! Got Em!!

Guarantee they dislike subtitles. Do a poll. Let the Right One In will be the OVERWHELMING favorite of the two.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Guarantee they dislike subtitles. Do a poll. Let the Right One In will be the OVERWHELMING favorite of the two.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/168...ml#post4526213

Check out the voting options.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by CZAR

I gotcha. Got Em!!

while i respect everyone's opinion, i think Seven Samurai is the absolute worst film to start off with when it comes to watching a film with subtitles. for one, you've never done it before, so as has been mentioned, kicking off with a 3+ hour film is a bad idea. and it definitely doesn't seem like something you'd enjoy. at all.

i would aim for a horror since that's a genre you love, or a shorter, action-y film.

just my two cents

but of course, don't feel you HAVE to ever watch a film with subtitles just because people say you should. if you dislike it, no need to do it right? sure, you're gonna miss out on what OTHERS call great films. but hell, that's all relative and at the end of the day, it's just a film, not a life changing moment. if you ever do though, make sure you let us know

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

while i respect everyone's opinion, i think Seven Samurai is the absolute worst film to start off with when it comes to watching a film with subtitles. for one, you've never done it before, so as has been mentioned, kicking off with a 3+ hour film is a bad idea. and it definitely doesn't seem like something you'd enjoy. at all.

i would aim for a horror since that's a genre you love, or a shorter, action-y film.

just my two cents

but of course, don't feel you HAVE to ever watch a film with subtitles just because people say you should. if you dislike it, no need to do it right? sure, you're gonna miss out on what OTHERS call great films. but hell, that's all relative and at the end of the day, it's just a film, not a life changing moment. if you ever do though, make sure you let us know

I agree--Seven Samurai is not a good starting point. He should start with a film in the genre that he likes best: horror. So, he should watch films like Martyrs, Rec, the Orphanage, etc.