The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

She plays Dale's boss. Dale is engaged. And she threatens to blackmail him with some "evidence" of his cheating said fiance, so that's why he wants her dead. It makes sense

Of course, only because, you know, he "cares" about his future wife and all.
If that was me in his position? I'd have forgotten my fiance even existed in about 5 minutes!

Threatens what? To expose him if he doesnt boink her?

Pay the ransom FOOL!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Can't go wrong with a 6 foot rabbit in the movie.

Real directors use multiple bunnies.

[Show spoiler]

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Real directors use multiple bunnies.

[Show spoiler]

That's true. I had those in mind.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

There Will be Blood

Director: Paul Thomas Anthony

DDL is a Tyrant!!

Well this was my first time seeing the movie in its entirety and i have to say that this is one of the most Original movies i've ever seen. It takes a while to get into the story and also is quite a long movie but for the message it brings and class A acting this movie is a winner without thinking. The story is bold and once again the acting is phenomenal Daniel Day-Lewis is PERFECT in this movie and just might be his BEST performance yet.

Warning this is a slow burner with MUCH to offer.

5/5

Anderson. Paul Thomas Anderson. Not Anthony.

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Well, just been to the Cinema, you guys will never guess what to see

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ?

[Show spoiler]

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Threatens what? To expose him if he doesnt boink her?

Pay the ransom FOOL!

Exactly! She doesn't demand money. She demands what's in his pants!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Exactly! She doesn't demand money. She demands what's in his pants!

Pay the ransom....WITH INTEREST!!!!!!!!!!!

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ?

[Show spoiler]

There is a spy on the boards

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The best Potter film by far, and I was shocked how many people love it.

It constantly moving, never slow, never plodding. I get wrapped up in the mystery of it all just so easily, it reminds me of The Goonies, a very British Goonies.

Actually, thinking of all this talk about Super 8 () being a Spielberg homage, I think this nails a lot of what I liked about those movies. It captures the magic around the character, the characters themselves, how they react in situations, what is happening in the situations, and the serious danger they are in, with out time to slow down to explain in, so it packs in into the exposition and action.

Also another thing I love about it, it pretty damn scary, giant spiders, huge snakes, creepy hands, murders all around (well about as murderous as a PG can get). It creates creepy atmosphere, I'll admit that being in that screening, my spine shivered with the work of the amazing score and the sound effects of the spiders trickling through the Forrest. Also isn't scared to get a bit dark and a bit violent when it needs to.

Also you can tell all the actors aren't taking it as seriously as they do now, Kenneth Branagh is just nailed every piece of his performance, played obviously for laughs now, knowing full well he's in a fantasy kids film, he acts slimy, he controls his body with motions perfected to a tee. Everyone else in the adult cast are either A) Overly nice and kooky, or B) Eyebrow raising, cynics who like like to look over the innocent child cast (Alan Rickman is the main man behind this)

It's also the best told stories out of the films, the entire story links in and out of each other, with little minor details playing hugely within not only the story itself but as the whole ark as well (this is a pretty pinnacle moment in the story actually.)

I forgot how much I loved not only this film, but all of them in general. People forget that these were original kids books, and good fun ones at that, resulting into good fun films, as they grew darker, they became less human and relatable. I love the fact that although Harry Potter is a huge prude who avoids trouble, he breaks about a billion rules on an adventure at the end and get rewarded for it, always brilliant and always what you wanted to do as a child. Eerie experience being the the same cinema watching the same film you watched when you were 8 years old and it containing the same effect as it did on you then.

10/10

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Foggy

There is a spy on the boards

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

[Show spoiler]The best Potter film by far, and I was shocked how many people love it.

It constantly moving, never slow, never plodding. I get wrapped up in the mystery of it all just so easily, it reminds me of The Goonies, a very British Goonies.

Actually, thinking of all this talk about Super 8 () being a Spielberg homage, I think this nails a lot of what I liked about those movies. It captures the magic around the character, the characters themselves, how they react in situations, what is happening in the situations, and the serious danger they are in, with out time to slow down to explain in, so it packs in into the exposition and action.

Also another thing I love about it, it pretty damn scary, giant spiders, huge snakes, creepy hands, murders all around (well about as murderous as a PG can get). It creates creepy atmosphere, I'll admit that being in that screening, my spine shivered with the work of the amazing score and the sound effects of the spiders trickling through the Forrest. Also isn't scared to get a bit dark and a bit violent when it needs to.

Also you can tell all the actors aren't taking it as seriously as they do now, Kenneth Branagh is just nailed every piece of his performance, played obviously for laughs now, knowing full well he's in a fantasy kids film, he acts slimy, he controls his body with motions perfected to a tee. Everyone else in the adult cast are either A) Overly nice and kooky, or B) Eyebrow raising, cynics who like like to look over the innocent child cast (Alan Rickman is the main man behind this)

It's also the best told stories out of the films, the entire story links in and out of each other, with little minor details playing hugely within not only the story itself but as the whole ark as well (this is a pretty pinnacle moment in the story actually.)

I forgot how much I loved not only this film, but all of them in general. People forget that these were original kids books, and good fun ones at that, resulting into good fun films, as they grew darker, they became less human and relatable. I love the fact that although Harry Potter is a huge prude who avoids trouble, he breaks about a billion rules on an adventure at the end and get rewarded for it, always brilliant and always what you wanted to do as a child. Eerie experience being the the same cinema watching the same film you watched when you were 8 years old and it containing the same effect as it did on you then.

10/10

I am an accidental spy

I don't think I've seen Chamber of Secrets since I saw it when it first released in the cinema . I can't remember what my opinion was about it, but really keen to rewatch it and the rest now after reading your post!

From the films I remember watching my favourite in order best --> worst would be 7.2, 7.1, 5, 6 (subject to change in the next week or so). I honestly don't remember what 4, 2 and 1 were like and

[Show spoiler]I haven't seen 3 yet :O.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

I am an accidental spy

I don't think I've seen Chamber of Secrets since I saw it when it first released in the cinema . I can't remember what my opinion was about it, but really keen to rewatch it and the rest now after reading your post!

From the films I remember watching my favourite in order best --> worst would be 7.2, 7.1, 5, 6 (subject to change in the next week or so). I honestly don't remember what 4, 2 and 1 were like and

[Show spoiler]I haven't seen 3 yet :O.

My list goes, (of course seeing them all bar the final one) 2,3,7.1,5,1,6,4

I describe it like this:

1 - The starting piece introducing yourself to this world, the characters and setting the pieces to create the franchise
2 - Everything's been established so lets go out and have some fun, create a cooler story, make it bigger and more scary, more of everything, yet keeps the same charm as the original.
3 - Basically it's similar to 2, go crazy, add to the world and have a cool story adding more shocking twists and turns to Potter history, just this one is darker and more serious, starting to loose it's charm
4 - The one I hate, it's like the toy monkey with the symbols creating a load of noise but no substance, hate it when it turns into "Let's get Harry Laid" for 45 mins in the middle And contains the biggest plot hole in the entire series, kinda ruins the rest of the series it's that bad. This is also the one where the shit hits the fan and there is no more happiness.
5 - Nothing happens, a lot of talk of danger but that's really all.
6 - Harry Potter and the battle over hormones, literally, it's one scene off showing Harry Potters first wank, however, there is a very good 30 mins of material in here that is worth watching, contains worst twist ending ever however.
7.1 - Carry On Camping has never been so depressing.

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Foggy

My list goes, (of course seeing them all bar the final one) 2,3,7.1,5,1,6,4

I describe it like this:

1 - The starting piece introducing yourself to this world, the characters and setting the pieces to create the franchise
2 - Everything's been established so lets go out and have some fun, create a cooler story, make it bigger and more scary, more of everything, yet keeps the same charm as the original.
3 - Basically it's similar to 2, go crazy, add to the world and have a cool story adding more shocking twists and turns to Potter history, just this one is darker and more serious, starting to loose it's charm
4 - The one I hate, it's like the toy monkey with the symbols creating a load of noise but no substance, hate it when it turns into "Let's get Harry Laid" for 45 mins in the middle And contains the biggest plot hole in the entire series, kinda ruins the rest of the series it's that bad. This is also the one where the shit hits the fan and there is no more happiness.
5 - Nothing happens, a lot of talk of danger but that's really all.
6 - Harry Potter and the battle over hormones, literally, it's one scene off showing Harry Potters first wank, however, there is a very good 30 mins of material in here that is worth watching, contains worst twist ending ever however.
7.1 - Carry On Camping has never been so depressing.

It's been a while, can you tell me what you mean by the bolded things .

Ah good explanations, I can see why people may enjoy the earlier films more, they are more light hearted and fun!

I'm not sure why I like 5 so much, I think that when I first watched it it was the first film I stopped looking for what they may have left out from the books and took it for what it was. 6 was the one for me where I felt nothing happened (apart from that scene in the middle).
7.1 was always going to be pretty long with not much happening (especially when you've read the book) but I thought they did a fantastic job of keeping people engaged and things did happen in it.

I'm really looking forward to rewatching 1-6 over the next few days (and possibly 7.1 if I rent).

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

It's been a while, can you tell me what you mean by the bolded things .

Ah good explanations, I can see why people may enjoy the earlier films more, they are more light hearted and fun!

I'm not sure why I like 5 so much, I think that when I first watched it it was the first film I stopped looking for what they may have left out from the books and took it for what it was. 6 was the one for me where I felt nothing happened (apart from that scene in the middle).
7.1 was always going to be pretty long with not much happening (especially when you've read the book) but I thought they did a fantastic job of keeping people engaged and things did happen in it.

I'm really looking forward to rewatching 1-6 over the next few days (and possibly 7.1 if I rent).

Well in Goblet of Fire:

[Show spoiler]The triwizard tournament contestants are chosen out of The Goblet of Fire, to stop underage students from entering the competition, Dumbledore castes an age control spell around the Goblet so it stops them, it's very effective as it shows Fred and George Wesley trying to beat it with Age potion which doesn't work. However, Harry's name pops out the Goblet, the first thing Dumbledore asks him is did he get an older student to put it in for him So, the most powerful wizard of all time can cast a spell that can beat any magic clustered up by students, but is still baffled by the old trick of getting someone older to do it

[Show spoiler]But this is the real stinker, they claim that because it is stated in the rules that if your name comes out the goblet you must take part (meaning Harry) however if they thought for a second about the actual rule set in the first place that only 3 students can take part (one from each school), combined with the fact he's under aged, then I'm certain he'll be able to pull out, especially with the fact he keeps saying he doesn't want to be a part of it. And what will happen if they don't make him play, I'm pretty certain the goblet isn't going to go out and kill him. This plot hole is so huge, that the rest of the franchise rests on me believing that the teachers at Hogwarts are stupid enough to think that putting Harry Potter (considered an Under aged cheat) in a deadly tournament that will eventually raise the most fierce dark lord of all time back into power is a good idea, I'll push it and take each entry as it's own, but the series does not work in full because of this!

The Half-Blood Prince's twist sucks

[Show spoiler]just because of it's random half arsed reveal that Snape is the Half-Blood Prince, although the actual concept of the Half-Blood Prince was only brought up a maximum of 3-6 times through the entire movie, and there is no mystery about who the hell the person is, why should I care, what does being the Half-Blood prince even mean.

I wouldn't mind, but the films main plot is a sub-plot to Harry Porky's and Half... you know, I won't even go there

[Steve46]

I would rank them:

3
4
?
?
?
?
7.1

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Well in Goblet of Fire:

[Show spoiler]The triwizard tournament contestants are chosen out of The Goblet of Fire, to stop underage students from entering the competition, Dumbledore castes an age control spell around the Goblet so it stops them, it's very effective as it shows Fred and George Wesley trying to beat it with Age potion which doesn't work. However, Harry's name pops out the Goblet, the first thing Dumbledore asks him is did he get an older student to put it in for him So, the most powerful wizard of all time can cast a spell that can beat any magic clustered up by students, but is still baffled by the old trick of getting someone older to do it

[Show spoiler]But this is the real stinker, they claim that because it is stated in the rules that if your name comes out the goblet you must take part (meaning Harry) however if they thought for a second about the actual rule set in the first place that only 3 students can take part (one from each school), combined with the fact he's under aged, then I'm certain he'll be able to pull out, especially with the fact he keeps saying he doesn't want to be a part of it. And what will happen if they don't make him play, I'm pretty certain the goblet isn't going to go out and kill him. This plot hole is so huge, that the rest of the franchise rests on me believing that the teachers at Hogwarts are stupid enough to think that putting Harry Potter (considered an Under aged cheat) in a deadly tournament that will eventually raise the most fierce dark lord of all time back into power is a good idea, I'll push it and take each entry as it's own, but the series does not work in full because of this!

The Half-Blood Prince's twist sucks

[Show spoiler]just because of it's random half arsed reveal that Snape is the Half-Blood Prince, although the actual concept of the Half-Blood Prince was only brought up a maximum of 3-6 times through the entire movie, and there is no mystery about who the hell the person is, why should I care, what does being the Half-Blood prince even mean.

I wouldn't mind, but the films main plot is a sub-plot to Harry Porky's and Half... you know, I won't even go there

Ah, I know what you're on about now in both films/books! But the Goblet of Fire problems you mention I've never really thought about! You're also the first person who I know to bring this up! (Though maybe the other people I've spoke to just don't think about what they've read?!). In the end I've lived and thoroughly enjoyed the series despite this so it's not a very big deal for me.

I suppose the Half-Blood Prince's twist is more of a twist when if I hadn't remembered it when you mentioned it! But I suppose you're right. I can't remember what my feelings were about the 6th book but I think I enjoyed some of the one's before it more (and definitely the one after).

and LOL. . I may have just learnt to block out any potential problems the books/films may have .

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I would rank them:

3
4
?
?
?
?
7.1

Interesting! I really best get my ass into gear and watch the 3rd one! It's so high on everyone's lists (for the most part!).

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

Interesting! I really best get my ass into gear and watch the 3rd one! It's so high on everyone's lists (for the most part!).

I like the story in 1 and 2. It was great seeing the world on the screen for the first time. But the kids couldn't really act at that point.

The director of 3 turned it into a much darker series, rather than relying on the cuteness factor. He directed Children of Men too.

I like all 7 films.

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I like the story in 1 and 2. It was great seeing the world on the screen for the first time. But the kids couldn't really act at that point.

The director of 3 turned it into a much darker series, rather than relying on the cuteness factor. He directed Children of Men too.

I like all 7 films.

That is very true, I remember when 4 came out lots of people were quite upset that it was rated a 12A and going forward from there they've been getting darker and darker.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Today's blog entry reveals the Top 5 in my list of favorite science fiction movies. Rango will be up tomorrow.

[Show spoiler]


My Top 20 science fiction movies (continued)

If you have been following this series, you’ll know numbers 6-20 in my Top 20. My tastes won’t appeal to everyone. I’m sure most people would include a couple of Star Wars movies in their own Top 20, while others might like Jurassic Park. The good news is you can just ignore my opinion and buy both when they hit Blu-ray later this year.

Here are my five favorite science fiction movies:



5. I Am Legend (2007)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan



Will Smith was a good choice for the role of Robert Neville. His character looks like he can take care of himself, but he also looks intelligent enough to conduct scientific experiments. I’m fond of post-apocalyptic stories because they encourage me to think. What would life be like if you lived without any human contact? Where would you find food? How would you spend your time? What would your purpose in life be? Neville has adapted to his solitary existence and seeks a cure for the infection which has affected most of the human race. I find it interesting watching actors carry a movie. Tom Hanks had to do it in Cast Away and James Franco had a similar role in 127 Hours. Both are stories that I keep revisiting. I Am Legend has extended periods of quiet reflection as we are shown how Neville lives. When he does encounter somebody, his reaction is believable. The special effects aren’t entirely convincing, but I still love visiting Neville’s world. There’s a little action thrown in, but this is mainly a thought-provoking psychological study. The Blu-ray has been out a while, but the presentation is almost reference quality.


4. Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver



Here’s a movie that you won’t have to think about at all. The dialogue is dumb and the second half of the movie is just a standard science fiction battle sequence. So why do I like it? The look of the movie is incredible and genuinely makes me feel like I’m visiting an alien world. There’s also an excellent sequence which lasts for about an hour in which Jake Sully (Worthington) meets some of the native population and learns how they live. The training sequence is easily the most interesting part of the story and I never tire of watching it. Avatar isn’t a great movie; it’s a piece of entertainment which appeals to a vast number of people. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I want. There isn’t a better looking Blu-ray than this and it’s pure escapism. I prefer the extended version which explains a couple of things in more depth and ties up an important loose end.

There's a full review in this thread or on my blog.


3. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss



The Matrix is a strange movie. Although it seems like an obvious story on the surface, there are a number of deeper themes if you choose to dig deeper. When it was released, it looked like something that had never been seen before. The use of slow motion adds to the overall feel and the special effects are still pretty cool. It’s an exciting ride in which Neo (Reeves) learns the truth about his existence. We see that there’s nothing he can’t do once he has been exposed to the relevant training, and that knowledge is downloaded in seconds. The story is also about belief in your own ability and acceptance of the real situation, as well as philosophical layers that make you question things such as religion and fate. The movie is an exercise in style, but it works well because of the action, effects and acting. Reeves is often ridiculed for his acting ability, but he’s certainly a good choice. He’s not meant to know anything, and he plays it exactly right. The Blu-ray release is decent considering the age of the movie and some of the chase sequences will fully test your home theater system.


2. Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page



Christopher Nolan delivers good movies on a consistent basis and hasn’t disappointed me so far. I’m not a fan of comic book characters, but Batman Begins and The Dark Knight took the genre to a different level. The Prestige and Memento are presented in an intriguing way and both are among my favorites. Inception is arguably Nolan’s most ambitious effort to date. The plot is complex and it must have taken a long time to get things exactly right. I imagine that many viewers won’t understand everything that happens and Nolan doesn’t dumb things down. Inception could work on some level even if you don’t grasp the whole story. It’s a visual feast with stunning special effects happening at several different rates of speed. The acting is good and there is no shortage of action. The ambiguous ending angered some, but I quite like it. This is a movie that I already love after two viewings, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.


1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester



This is a prime example of how my tastes have changed over the years. The first time I saw 2001, I think I fell asleep. When I revisited it on cable many years later, I couldn’t get past the first act with the apes. But in recent years, I have started to appreciate what Kubrick achieved. The first thing to remember is what science fiction movies were like before 2001 was released in 1968. Most were laughable, predictable and not even remotely believable. Kubrick’s film completely changed the genre. It’s epic in scope, spanning around 6,000 years, and over half of the film is told without the use of dialogue. It may be easy to show apes or people floating around without gravity with the use of modern special effects, but consider what was available in 1968; even making a pen appear to float was a challenge. Actors had to dress up as apes and study the movements of real animals to produce the opening act. Kubrick’s use of music was another innovation. Think about the docking sequence and how Kubrick made it seem like a dance. He also got the details right. How many directors would have shown an explosion in space without sound? It’s not an easy film to watch by any means. If you go in expecting action, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s a film that will stay with you a long time after you see it and might even encourage you to investigate some of the deeper themes. If you don’t know what the monoliths represent, it’s interesting finding out. The story does make sense when you take the time to research it, and it’s a work of genius. It also contains my favorite cut sequence, when a bone is thrown in the air and we move on to the next act. I’m sure a lot of people have never seen 2001, while others may have seen it and written it off as meaningless or boring. If that’s the case, I urge you to look at it again. It has to be the most influential science fiction film ever made. How many times have you heard Thus Spake Zarathustra when watching a documentary about space? It’s actually a piece of art as much as it is a film. The Blu-ray looks stunning considering the age of the film.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment or post your own favorites.

For the first time since you started your sci-fi list, I can say I have seen most of the movies on this portion of it. I have seen four out of five of them (2001 being the one I haven't seen).

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by killowertz

For the first time since you started your sci-fi list, I can say I have seen most of the movies on this portion of it. I have seen four out of five of them (2001 being the one I haven't seen).

I guess the main reason I do it is to hopefully introduce people to things they haven't seen.

Any glaring omissions?

Things you agree with?

What would your own list look like?

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I guess the main reason I do it is to hopefully introduce people to things they haven't seen.

Any glaring omissions?

Things you agree with?

What would your own list look like?

You will likely have succeeded with that at some point as I will likely check out at least a few of the movies on your list that I haven't seen.

I already mentioned Serenity as being a movie that I would put on my own list, but I can understand it being left off as well. I would also have at least one Star Wars movie on the list, but wouldn't know which one until I watch them all again when the Complete Saga gets released on Blu-ray in September.

It's nice seeing such movies as Avatar, Star Trek, any of the Matrix movies, and Inception on the list.

As for my own list, it would take a while for me to figure that out completely.