The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

From what I've heard, "polarizing" should fit

See...thats the problem with Sucker Punch. Most everyone enjoyed Triangle, even if they didnt think it was great, it still had lots to talk about. Too many people downright dislike SP to have a good meaty debate.

I'd LOVE to stumble across, or be introduced to, the next Triangle. Fun days.

[SquidPuppet]

I'm done with most of my fall TV catchin up, so I am back to films.

Bridesmaids

I liked the drama aspect way better than the comedy.

Really? A film aimed at early 30 year olds relies on characters shoving things up their noses, vomitting on each other, pooping in the street, pooping in sinks and other foul 'been-done-a-million-times-gags' do earn a laugh. Didnt work on me. There were some jokes and situations that I did find very funny, but belnding clever humor and poignant relationship issues with ultimate low brow filth humor didnt balance well.

Pacing was an issue for me as well. Too herky-jerky and aimless at times.

It was enjoyable for an evening rental, but thats about it for me. A female 'Hangover' and not much more.

Film 3.5/5
PQ 4.25/5
AQ 4.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Win Win 2010

I loved it. Worth seeing for the performances alone. The entire cast gives superb performances. I swear, if Giamatti were handsome, he'd have lead roles in all major films and would have won many Oscars. Ah, such are the politics of the superficial.

Paul Giamatti is a small office lawyer in Jersey, struggling financially. He practices family law that protects the elderly. He also coaches wrestling for the local High School. His path crosses with one of his clients grandsons, a troubled out of town teen who later decides to stay for a while. The boy joins the wrestling team and many surprises follow.

Win Win is just a perfect famil Dramedy for me. Real issues and problems to deal with, but the inescapable reality that funny stuff happens even during tough times in life. So do happy and sad things. The film has a very real balance. Pacing is fantastic. Dialogue is totally realistic and delivered as if you are watching a real family and group of friends.

Film 5/5
PQ 4.5/ 5
AQ 4.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Unknown - 2006

This is not Liam Neeson's movie.

Pretty good movie that has the audience try and figure out what's going on, along with the actors in the movie. 5 guys wake up in an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. The don't remember how they got there or who they even are. As their memory comes back, they start figuring things out. There are some good twists and turns along the way, and it gets a little more intense as the end nears. This movie could have been better in some ways, but it was still entertaining. Worth a rental.

DVD rental

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

3/5

Just watched this last night and I agree, it was OK. The unfolding and twist reveal were not handled "Sharply" enough to generate the desired effect. In fact, the ending was a little muddy for me when he was having the flashbacks about the

[Show spoiler]gal in the bar. How did that/she tie into the story?

It was also never clear to me if he was

[Show spoiler]a clean undercover cop or if he was dirty. When he was saying the stuff about stealing and killing, it could have been part of his cover. They werent clear enough about that.

Not a waist of time, I never felt like pulling the plug, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it.

3/5

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]Just watched this last night and I agree, it was OK. The unfolding and twist reveal were not handled "Sharply" enough to generate the desired effect. In fact, the ending was a little muddy for me when he was having the flashbacks about the

[Show spoiler]gal in the bar. How did that/she tie into the story?

It was also never clear to me if he was

[Show spoiler]a clean undercover cop or if he was dirty. When he was saying the stuff about stealing and killing, it could have been part of his cover. They werent clear enough about that.

Not a waist of time, I never felt like pulling the plug, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it.

3/5

Correct.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Correct.

Got any answers to my spoilers?

[SquidPuppet]

Fromage: le numéro de l'épisode cinq. (AKA) The Empire Fondues Back

Fromage: le numéro de l'épisode six. (AKA) Queso Mas Jedi

I bought them so dont give me any crap. I am pleased to own them and will watch them on occasion.

That said, witness the Gates of Cheesedom errupt in all their Splendid Glory.

You guys dont nee no stinkin review, you all already own them too.

PQ and AQ are awsome.

May the Käse be strong with you.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Got any answers to my spoilers?

Unfortunately not, I only saw it in theaters at the beginning of the year. Someone who's seen it much more recently might be able to help.

[menaceuk]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Just watched this last night and I agree, it was OK. The unfolding and twist reveal were not handled "Sharply" enough to generate the desired effect. In fact, the ending was a little muddy for me when he was having the flashbacks about the

[Show spoiler]gal in the bar. How did that/she tie into the story?

It was also never clear to me if he was

[Show spoiler]a clean undercover cop or if he was dirty. When he was saying the stuff about stealing and killing, it could have been part of his cover. They werent clear enough about that.

Not a waist of time, I never felt like pulling the plug, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it.

3/5

My biggest gripe with that movie is the timing of him remembering everything.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Just watched this last night and I agree, it was OK. The unfolding and twist reveal were not handled "Sharply" enough to generate the desired effect. In fact, the ending was a little muddy for me when he was having the flashbacks about the

[Show spoiler]gal in the bar. How did that/she tie into the story?

It was also never clear to me if he was

[Show spoiler]a clean undercover cop or if he was dirty. When he was saying the stuff about stealing and killing, it could have been part of his cover. They werent clear enough about that.

Not a waist of time, I never felt like pulling the plug, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it.

3/5

I haven't watched it since around the time I bought it on release day, but I only remember

[Show spoiler]January Jones' character being the one in his flashbacks.

[Show spoiler]He's not a cop at all. He is/was part of a team of assassins.

[tbizzle]

Panic Room - 4/5

Very interesting to see David Fincher tackle this kind of thriller, and while it definitely succeeds in a lot of ways, it tries to be a bit over the top yet lacks some of the awesomeness that he usually brings in his films. Or maybe it's just the characters... I didn't care for any of them as much as I did with other Fincher films, that may be where it stumbled for me. As is the case with just about everything he's done, it's very well crafted and his signature style is quite evident (which added to my enjoyment and appreciation of the film) but it doesn't quite add up to anything amazing, though it's a very solid film.

Philadelphia - 4/5

Good film with a great story, I can see how hugely impactful this film was back in the day. I thought it was a bit overly dramatic and predictable at times towards the end, also, I don't know if it's just the way I was looking at it but it seemed like certain parts of the film were really trying for an Oscar. Good performances by Tom and Denzel but far from their best, though it was very enjoyable to see them work together. Definitely recommended

Very Bad Things - 3.5/5

Crazy crazy movie, but it's actually done pretty well. All the testosterone and yelling got pretty tiresome but it does make for an interesting, crazy ride. Cameron Diaz is one cuuuhraaazzzzyyy b!tch in this one, and she nails it. One of her best performances imo, lol!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Funny that you mention choosing a film to dissect as a group on the one year anniversary of our Movie of the Week thread! I'm certainly down for a reboot.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/157...ek-thread.html

Ohh the synchronicity! Haha that's pretty a random coincidence

And 9 months from Squid's post as well....

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jvince

[Show spoiler]Genre: Comedy | Drama
Synopsis: A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.
Running Time: 1 hours, 55 minutes

Director: Alexander Payne (Election)
Writers: Alexander Payne (Sideways), Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Kaui Hart Hemmings
Stars: George Clooney (Ocean's Eleven), Shailene Woodley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys), Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), Matthew Lillard (Scooby-Doo), Judy Greer (13 Going on 30)

A backdrop of heaven with characters in hell. That's basically what The Descendants is. It may sound like a depressing film (and it does get depressing), but somehow, Payne and Company manages to turn the story into an uplifting and honest portrait of man and family.

[Show spoiler]It's been seven (long) years since the release of Academy Award-winning Sideways, and helmer Alexander Payne finally returns behind the camera after yet another extended hiatus and directs the hell out of this adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings' debut novel. The acclaimed American director's fingerprints are all over this one: the recurring theme of adultery; the long, voice-over monologues; the quirky characters and the quirky humor. But the one thing that sets this apart from his previous works is the increased sense of maturity of his protagonists and even the director himself.

For a film being touted as a potential Oscar front-runner, the acting isn't showy, but the characters are certainly memorable. George Clooney delivers one of his best performances to date and is pretty much guaranteed numerous Best Actor nominations come awards season. Veterans Bridges, Forster, Greer, and even Lillard (yes, that guy who played Shaggy in those live-action Scooby-Doo movies) are great in their small roles. But it's the younger actors Woodley, Miller, and Krause who steal the show as the two potty-mouth daughters and the boneheaded boyfriend. You'll be gasping for air and cheering for these kids whenever they're on-screen.

The cinematography is gorgeous, as expected. The movie does tend to go into travelogue mode at times, but you can't really blame them for exploiting such a scenic locale as Hawaii. It is also backed by a wonderfully irresistible soundtrack comprised solely of popular Hawaiian music.

The film isn't without some minor faults though: it gets a little soapy at the beginning; there are some seemingly important characters that are introduced only to never be heard of or seen again; and the film feels a little long for what it is, although -- oddly enough -- thinking back, there isn't a single scene I'd cut out.

The Descendants may be a familiar story with familiar characters in a different setting, but it's a familiar story done extremely well and filled with lots of heart and laughs. It's an easier task to make a depressing film out of a depressing story. But to be able to effectively elicit laughter from troubles and pain, and ultimately leave its audiences feeling good afterwards means these guys must have done something really special.

Great review, looking forward to this!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

See...thats the problem with Sucker Punch. Most everyone enjoyed Triangle, even if they didnt think it was great, it still had lots to talk about. Too many people downright dislike SP to have a good meaty debate.

I'd LOVE to stumble across, or be introduced to, the next Triangle. Fun days.

I'm not sure we'll find anything that quite measures up, Triangle is a beast

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Win Win 2010

I loved it. Worth seeing for the performances alone. The entire cast gives superb performances. I swear, if Giamatti were handsome, he'd have lead roles in all major films and would have won many Oscars. Ah, such are the politics of the superficial.

[Show spoiler]Paul Giamatti is a small office lawyer in Jersey, struggling financially. He practices family law that protects the elderly. He also coaches wrestling for the local High School. His path crosses with one of his clients grandsons, a troubled out of town teen who later decides to stay for a while. The boy joins the wrestling team and many surprises follow.

Win Win is just a perfect famil Dramedy for me. Real issues and problems to deal with, but the inescapable reality that funny stuff happens even during tough times in life. So do happy and sad things. The film has a very real balance. Pacing is fantastic. Dialogue is totally realistic and delivered as if you are watching a real family and group of friends.

Film 5/5
PQ 4.5/ 5
AQ 4.5/5

This one caught my attention, glad to hear your praise, just bumped it up in the queue

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

See Sideways!!!! It's a perfect film for guys in "our" age group.

Another Giamatti film that's been on list

[Diesel]

I had some Amazon Instant Video credit to use so I gave Sucker Punch a shot.

I want my credit back.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I had some Amazon Instant Video credit to use so I gave Sucker Punch a shot.

I want my credit back.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

[Show spoiler]

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]Screw you...

[Show spoiler]What? You thought I was kidding?

[Show spoiler]

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I had some Amazon Instant Video credit to use so I gave Sucker Punch a shot.

I want my credit back.

...is that your final review?