The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[NARMAK]

Just watched Casino last night on Blu-ray. When i say last night, i meant 1am in the morning without checking it's almost 3hrs long lol

Ok, so i'm not gonna focus on PQ & AQ cause you guys have probably seen the review on here and i would most likely agree.

As for the movie itself. wow!. It's a brilliantly woven movie and really well paced. The character development was pitch perfect imo. It just had all the threads interwoven perfectly and definitely the famous Scorcese and De Niro partnership we all have heard about. Joe Pesci was also great in it. It's just like watching Goodfellas to me in the sense that it's got the same great characteristics but to me, there was something about Casino that gave it a little bit more charm. I think it might be down to the fact that i wasn't overly fond of Ray Liotta in Goodfellas and De Niro is here in all his glory just like Pesci was but it's just the two of them pretty much front and centre.

The only gripe i have is with the lack of blood during gunshot scenes despite the 18 rating but i think that was a limitation of movie censoriship or something at the time. I still think i'd rate this a solid 4.5/5 for enjoyment even despite the long runtime. Had i watched it while i was fresh, i still would have appreciated the same. It's a testament to a movie this long when a guy whos tired doesn't seem to nod off one bit and laps up every scene coming.

This is in stark contrast to 'The Pact' which i was falling asleep to within the first 10 mins and had to literally slap myself awake to watch when tired in the cinema.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

As for the movie itself. wow!. It's a brilliantly woven movie and really well paced. The character development was pitch perfect imo. It just had all the threads interwoven perfectly and definitely the famous Scorcese and De Niro partnership we all have heard about. Joe Pesci was also great in it. It's just like watching Goodfellas to me in the sense that it's got the same great characteristics but to me, there was something about Casino that gave it a little bit more charm. I think it might be down to the fact that i wasn't overly fond of Ray Liotta in Goodfellas and De Niro is here in all his glory just like Pesci was but it's just the two of them pretty much front and centre.

I also prefer Casino over Goodfellas. Personally, I love the first 1:30 of Goodfellas. The last 30-45 mins? It turns into a redundant documentary on cocaine paranoia, with Liotta looking for helicopters every 2 minutes, driving all over town, and sweating profusely. Seems to suffer from "Full Metal Jacket" syndrome: seemed like the second half is a different film than the first half. Maybe its because I can't relate since I never used coke

I agree about Casino. Pesci's character is almost the same as Goodfellas - ruthless killer & Deniro's right hand man. The reason I prefer Casino is that it really gives a great 3-tier analysis of the casino mob structure, from the mob bosses to the gaming comission to the casino management. Each level is critical to how the whole scam works, and I love how the film shows how all 3 levels work, while also showing great characters at each level. Its really epic film making and holds up REALLY WELL to repeated viewings. Yes, you're right that there is less blood in the shootings, but Casino makes up for it with the

[Show spoiler]head-in-vice and buried alive

scenes. those are worse to watch than any bloody gun shootout

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I also prefer Casino over Goodfellas. Personally, I love the first 1:30 of Goodfellas. The last 30-45 mins? It turns into a redundant documentary on cocaine paranoia, with Liotta looking for helicopters every 2 minutes, driving all over town, and sweating profusely. Seems to suffer from "Full Metal Jacket" syndrome: seemed like the second half is a different film than the first half. Maybe its because I can't relate since I never used coke

I agree about Casino. Pesci's character is almost the same as Goodfellas - ruthless killer & Deniro's right hand man. The reason I prefer Casino is that it really gives a great 3-tier analysis of the casino mob structure, from the mob bosses to the gaming comission to the casino management. Each level is critical to how the whole scam works, and I love how the film shows how all 3 levels work, while also showing great characters at each level. Its really epic film making and holds up REALLY WELL to repeated viewings. Yes, you're right that there is less blood in the shootings, but Casino makes up for it with the

[Show spoiler]head-in-vice and buried alive

scenes. those are worse to watch than any bloody gun shootout

Yeah, the blood and gore was definitely present and correct in the scenes you mentioned but the lack of the blood in some gunshot scenes was a bit of a letdown in an otherwise brilliant movie. I would never watch with family because of the subject matter being very inappropriate for a family of cultural and religious objections to the sex/nudity that mostly occurs rather than violence etc.

I honestly had as much fun watching this for the very first time as i did watching Kick Ass again on blu-ray just a day or two prior. I also totally agree on goodfellas, the ending half seems to lose the plot a bit too much but overall it was still a very good movie, just not as well liked by me as this is though.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Yeah, the blood and gore was definitely present and correct in the scenes you mentioned but the lack of the blood in some gunshot scenes was a bit of a letdown in an otherwise brilliant movie. I would never watch with family because of the subject matter being very inappropriate for a family of cultural and religious objections to the sex/nudity that mostly occurs rather than violence etc.

I guess you're referring to the gun scenes of

[Show spoiler]the dude who had his head put in the vice, when he shot up the restaurant? and later on when the mob bosses had those assassin guys kill the casino guys with silencers in the parking lot?

. Can't recall any other gun scenes, and can't remember if they looked real.

Agree that the film is VERY inappropriate for kids/family. Did you know it has like 400 F bombs? Like second most all-time or something?

EDIT: looks like the blu-ray.com reviewer agrees with us (Casino better than Goodfellas): "Frames from many scenes of this movie can be hung on your wall as a work of art. The composition and picture quality are that good. So is the acting and story. Why then does Casino remain overshadowed by GoodFellas? The main reason I can think of is the earlier release date and the simpler concept that enabled viewers to more quickly latch on to the plot. But Casino is a bigger, ballsier, brassier production all around."

[Foggy]

I'm going to be the Goodfellas guy and say that's a stronger film, I think Casino is just too long for it's style. Information is fired out to fast and repetitively that it feels like the story isn't moving in a forward direction, almost like it's one step forward, two steps back. I don't think it's an bad film, I just feel like the bombardment of the first hour with the pacing of the rest of the film just doesn't gel, when with Goodfellas you always seem to get sucked into the lifestyle as well as the story, always looking forward to see when stuff eventually goes down hill, when in Casino, none of the characters seem all that fussed by their lifestyle so you're more waiting for the downfall to happen.

But I was hellah tired when watching Casino

[Steve46]

Moonrise Kingdom Official Trailer #1 - Wes Anderson Movie (2012) HD - YouTube

There are probably a few minor spoilers, but nothing you wouldn't see from trailers. Read at your own risk.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 94 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban and Harvey Keitel



I have to admit that I hadn't seen any Wes Anderson films until two or three years ago and Moonrise Kingdom is the first that I have had the pleasure of seeing in the theater.

My first Anderson experience was Bottle Rocket, and it didn't strike me as remarkable the first time I saw it. However, I found myself thinking about it over the next few days and ended up buying the Criterion Blu-ray.

I think there are a couple of important things to understand about Anderson's films:

The first is the level of detail. It's an assault on the brain and I've come to appreciate subsequent viewings more than with most films. Many lesser comedies fall flat because they run out of ideas and end up repeating them until they approach 90 minutes. Anderson's films have so many ideas it's ridiculous, but five of his seven films are also over by the 94-minute mark. The difference is that they are crammed with ideas and feel fresh and original.

The other major thing to note is the brand of humor. Call it offbeat or quirky, or whatever you like, but it's certainly distinctive. It's the type of humor that uses a phrase or situation which is familiar to you, but surprises you by giving it a different meaning. Think of Police Squad, Naked Gun, or Monty Python, and you'll understand what I mean. Like David Lynch, I think Anderson's mind makes unusual connections that most are incapable of. In order to appreciate his films, you need to investigate all of his worlds and understand that way that he thinks. It might be too much work for the casual viewer.

Let's get to Moonrise Kingdom.

The film is set in the 1960s on a small island off New England. It evokes a sense of nostalgia that's present throughout. This is a time in which cell phones and most electronic entertainment didn't exist. Take a look at the primitive record player for example. The story focuses on the budding romance between Sam (Gilman) and Suzy (Hayward). Sam is a scout and invites Suzy to run away with him, causing the small town to send out a search party.

The supporting cast includes some big names and a few Anderson favorites. The local cop is played by Bruce Willis and he's particularly effective in the role. The Scout Master is played by Edward Norton, who has an exaggerated sense of his own importance. He provides a lot of the humor in the few scenes he is in. Look out for the homage to The Shawshank Redemption when he discovers that Sam is missing.

Frances McDormand and Bill Murray play a married couple and both are lawyers. Jason Schwartzman's appearance is brief, but he makes good use of the time. One of my favorite characters is played by Tilda Swinton, and she is simply referred to as Social Services. Even Bob Balaban's narration is funny. It's hard to go into any more detail without ruining the entire plot, such as it is, so I'll stop there.

I mentioned that Anderson's films require several viewings to take in all the details, but I have to say that Moonrise Kingdom had an immediate impact on me. This is my style of humor and it felt like a Coen brothers movie, such as Burn After Reading, at times. Nothing much happens, but it's the style that's important. If you like Anderson's other films, you will almost certainly appreciate this.

I sometimes wonder what kind of childhood Anderson had. Are these characters based on his own experiences? Most are intelligent and suffered something of a troubled upbringing. When I think of Sam, or Max (from Rushmore), am I seeing the way Anderson views his own early life? Dysfunctional families are a favorite topic of his and Moonrise Kingdom is filled with them. Perhaps I had such an immediate connection to the film because it felt familiar after seeing his other work?

I'll close by saying that Anderson's films won't have universal or even large appeal, but if you appreciate his quirky style, you might just end up loving everything he does. I know that's true for me. I'll always remember that I first watched the film on my 50th birthday with two friends I have known since I was 11. That was a great experience and I would like to watch Moonrise Kingdom again right now.

Overall score 4.5/5 (with the potential to rise to 5/5 after repeat viewings).

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm going to be the Goodfellas guy and say that's a stronger film, I think Casino is just too long for it's style. Information is fired out to fast and repetitively that it feels like the story isn't moving in a forward direction, almost like it's one step forward, two steps back. I don't think it's an bad film, I just feel like the bombardment of the first hour with the pacing of the rest of the film just doesn't gel, when with Goodfellas you always seem to get sucked into the lifestyle as well as the story, always looking forward to see when stuff eventually goes down hill, when in Casino, none of the characters seem all that fussed by their lifestyle so you're more waiting for the downfall to happen.

Goodfellas is definietly the more straightforward film, that's for sure. But you guys know me - I like to bite off more than I can chew

none of the characters in Casino seemed fussed?

[Show spoiler]Deniro seemed pretty fussed that his best friend was banging his wife

My top 5 mafia/mob films:

1. Godfather II
2. Godfather I
3. Casino
4. Donnie Brasco
5. Goodfellas

[Al_The_Strange]

Hey, speakin' of Martin Scorsese films, I made a couple of blind-buys ova here!

First..."The Last Temptation of Christ."

I think this one caught my eye, not only because of the director, but also out of an interest to see how it would compare to "The Passion." Really, the two don't compare; "The Passion" was pretty darn close to the scriptures, but "Last Temptation" presents something of an alternate ending story, almost as a kind of "Twilight Zone" style twist. Combined with the exploration of the human side of Jesus, a lot of people were up in arms against the film and viciously campaigned to stop its production. But really, the film never says or does anything terribly blasphemous.

The film is close to three hours and pretty darn slow. At the same time, the visuals, music, scene compositions, and overall tone are mesmerizing.

Liking the story may depend on one's own beliefs, but I thought it was brilliant in its own way. It seems to capture the characters accurately enough. A lot of the events are skimmed over, but the film covers such a broad spectrum of events that some trimming was called for. As an exploration of the main character's duality (humanity vs superhumanity), the film did a first-rate job of emphasizing that internal conflict and maintaining focus on it; the film's last act does a bang-up job of tying up the themes.

The film looks decent, with solid photography and interesting editing. Acting and writing are good. This production has lots of interesting (and as I understand it, realistic) looking sets, props, and costumes. Music is really awesome at times.

4.5/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good)

Recommendation: Sure...especially to guys like surfdude and bearcat, who seem to enjoy the experience of slow-paced thought-provoking films.

This Blu-Ray looks really damn sharp and clean. Colors and contrast aren't terribly vibrant, but they look natural. Sound quality is great.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4.5/5



"Raging Bull"

Yo, look at this over here! It's a black and white film about boxing! How 'bout that? It's got lots of scenes where the guy's beating the crap outta everybody. Even off da ring, the guy's beating on people. He's an animal, I tell ya.

Hey, I dunno how close this film is to the real life story or anything, but it ain't a bad story. It's not all feel-good like "Rocky" is, you know? In fact, I dunno if I like the ending; the movie just kinda ended! Where's the f***ing climax! Come on!

Whatever...the film looks great. The black-and-white picture is beautiful. The acting and writing are beautiful. All the sets and props and stuff, yeah they look beautiful too. And the music is good.

That's all I gotta say about it, you know? It's not a bad movie. What do you want, a review from Roger f***ing Ebert or something? Get outta here!

4/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Pretty Good | Film: Very Good)

Recommendation: Yeah, yeah, yeah...

What, you want a review for the Blu-Ray too? Fine! It looks beautiful! Sound quality was jerking me around though; when the guy's yelling and beating people up, it sounds great; every other scene was so low I couldn't hear it. I kept yelling at the TV, "speak up, will ya!"

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 3.5/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

"Raging Bull"
Hey, I dunno how close this film is to the real life story or anything, but it ain't a bad story. It's not all feel-good like "Rocky" is, you know?

I prefer it to Rocky - it strikes me as much more realistic.

In fact, I dunno if I like the ending; the movie just kinda ended! Where's the f***ing climax! Come on!

who said there had to be a f&*king climax, tough guy? No but seriously, I love the theme here.

In the ring, he had no enemies, as they were all terrified of him.

Out of the ring, he only had one enemy - the biggest enemy we all face - himself. Time after time, he kept sabotaging his life, until by the end we see him

[Show spoiler]utterly battered and bruised from self-destruction

.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I prefer it to Rocky - it strikes me as much more realistic.

Yep, I agree with you there.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

who said there had to be a f&*king climax, tough guy?

Originally Posted by surfdude12

No but seriously, I love the theme here.

In the ring, he had no enemies, as they were all terrified of him.

Out of the ring, he only had one enemy - the biggest enemy we all face - himself. Time after time, he kept sabotaging his life, until by the end we see him

[Show spoiler]utterly battered and bruised from self-destruction

.

I did notice that; it's pretty somber stuff. Can't help but to feel for Jake. Although there were times when I wished he would have lightened up too, but I think he only realized that after the fact.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I did notice that; it's pretty somber stuff. Can't help but to feel for Jake. Although there were times when I wished he would have lightened up too, but I think he only realized that after the fact.

I remember listening to the SCorcese commentary on my last viewing and he explained the last bible passage pretty well (about being blind and now being able to see). SOmething about how we all (society) judge the Jake LaMotta's of our world as crazy, wild, lunatics, even as we're watching the film, but its important to withhold our judgment (not be blind) and just watch the character for what he is, without imposing our judgment on him (being able to see).

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I remember listening to the SCorcese commentary on my last viewing and he explained the last bible passage pretty well (about being blind and now being able to see). SOmething about how we all (society) judge the Jake LaMotta's of our world as crazy, wild, lunatics, even as we're watching the film, but its important to withhold our judgment (not be blind) and just watch the character for what he is, without imposing our judgment on him (being able to see).

I was wondering about that passage. I think I just thought it was in relation to the character, but this explanation makes better sense. It is pretty easy to judge him for his paranoia and violence, but he did have his share of virtues.

Yep, it's an interesting character study.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Moonrise Kingdom Official Trailer #1 - Wes Anderson Movie (2012) HD - YouTube

There are probably a few minor spoilers, but nothing you wouldn't see from trailers. Read at your own risk.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 94 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban and Harvey Keitel

[Show spoiler]

I have to admit that I hadn't seen any Wes Anderson films until two or three years ago and Moonrise Kingdom is the first that I have had the pleasure of seeing in the theater.

My first Anderson experience was Bottle Rocket, and it didn't strike me as remarkable the first time I saw it. However, I found myself thinking about it over the next few days and ended up buying the Criterion Blu-ray.

I think there are a couple of important things to understand about Anderson's films:

The first is the level of detail. It's an assault on the brain and I've come to appreciate subsequent viewings more than with most films. Many lesser comedies fall flat because they run out of ideas and end up repeating them until they approach 90 minutes. Anderson's films have so many ideas it's ridiculous, but five of his seven films are also over by the 94-minute mark. The difference is that they are crammed with ideas and feel fresh and original.

The other major thing to note is the brand of humor. Call it offbeat or quirky, or whatever you like, but it's certainly distinctive. It's the type of humor that uses a phrase or situation which is familiar to you, but surprises you by giving it a different meaning. Think of Police Squad, Naked Gun, or Monty Python, and you'll understand what I mean. Like David Lynch, I think Anderson's mind makes unusual connections that most are incapable of. In order to appreciate his films, you need to investigate all of his worlds and understand that way that he thinks. It might be too much work for the casual viewer.

Let's get to Moonrise Kingdom.

The film is set in the 1960s on a small island off New England. It evokes a sense of nostalgia that's present throughout. This is a time in which cell phones and most electronic entertainment didn't exist. Take a look at the primitive record player for example. The story focuses on the budding romance between Sam (Gilman) and Suzy (Hayward). Sam is a scout and invites Suzy to run away with him, causing the small town to send out a search party.

The supporting cast includes some big names and a few Anderson favorites. The local cop is played by Bruce Willis and he's particularly effective in the role. The Scout Master is played by Edward Norton, who has an exaggerated sense of his own importance. He provides a lot of the humor in the few scenes he is in. Look out for the homage to The Shawshank Redemption when he discovers that Sam is missing.

Frances McDormand and Bill Murray play a married couple and both are lawyers. Jason Schwartzman's appearance is brief, but he makes good use of the time. One of my favorite characters is played by Tilda Swinton, and she is simply referred to as Social Services. Even Bob Balaban's narration is funny. It's hard to go into any more detail without ruining the entire plot, such as it is, so I'll stop there.

I mentioned that Anderson's films require several viewings to take in all the details, but I have to say that Moonrise Kingdom had an immediate impact on me. This is my style of humor and it felt like a Coen brothers movie, such as Burn After Reading, at times. Nothing much happens, but it's the style that's important. If you like Anderson's other films, you will almost certainly appreciate this.

I sometimes wonder what kind of childhood Anderson had. Are these characters based on his own experiences? Most are intelligent and suffered something of a troubled upbringing. When I think of Sam, or Max (from Rushmore), am I seeing the way Anderson views his own early life? Dysfunctional families are a favorite topic of his and Moonrise Kingdom is filled with them. Perhaps I had such an immediate connection to the film because it felt familiar after seeing his other work?

I'll close by saying that Anderson's films won't have universal or even large appeal, but if you appreciate his quirky style, you might just end up loving everything he does. I know that's true for me. I'll always remember that I first watched the film on my 50th birthday with two friends I have known since I was 11. That was a great experience and I would like to watch Moonrise Kingdom again right now.

Overall score 4.5/5 (with the potential to rise to 5/5 after repeat viewings).

I know I'm one of the few people and will likely get many dirty looking emoticons for this, but I'm in no rush to see Moonrise Kingdom.

There are two other limited release films I want to see that are out now though: Safety Not Guaranteed and Your Sister's Sister. My desire to see them in that order.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I know I'm one of the few people and will likely get many dirty looking emoticons for this, but I'm in no rush to see Moonrise Kingdom.

There are two other limited release films I want to see that are out now though: Safety Not Guaranteed and Your Sister's Sister. My desire to see them in that order.

It's okay, you're allowed to do what you want.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Goodfellas is definietly the more straightforward film, that's for sure. But you guys know me - I like to bite off more than I can chew

none of the characters in Casino seemed fussed?

[Show spoiler]Deniro seemed pretty fussed that his best friend was banging his wife

My top 5 mafia/mob films:

1. Godfather II
2. Godfather I
3. Casino
4. Donnie Brasco
5. Goodfellas

What I mean by fussed is that he wasn't all that keen on his job

Big exam tomorrow

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

It's okay, you're allowed to do what you want.

Obviously.

I probably will watch it at some point because of all of the buzz, but for some reason I've just never been in that much of a rush to watch much in the way of any of Wes Anderson's movies. I've only ever seen Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums. I thought Bottle Rocket was ok, but I'll definitely be buying The Royal Tenenbaums during a Criterion sale after it releases.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Obviously.

I probably will watch it at some point because of all of the buzz, but for some reason I've just never been in that much of a rush to watch much in the way of any of Wes Anderson's movies. I've only ever seen Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums. I thought Bottle Rocket was ok, but I'll definitely be buying The Royal Tenenbaums during a Criterion sale after it releases.

I wasn't wowed when I first saw them, but they have all grown on me.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I wasn't wowed when I first saw them, but they have all grown on me.

Again, obviously.

You never know. You were right about The Descendants, so maybe you're right about Moonrise Kingdom too. Obviously not really the same kind of films, but still.

[iam1bearcat]

i very much look forward to Moonrise Kingdom.

i absolutely love The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox and likewise films. i wasn't big on Bottle Rocket, but also enjoyed Darjeeling Limited and other films. they certainly work for a certain type of humor though, which is why i thorough enjoy having a sense of humor that works with things like Parks and Recreation, The Royal Tenenbaums, Superbad and Strange Wilderness.

and Steve, looking at those pictures of Moonrise Kingdom makes me that much more anxious to see it. as expected, looks beautifully shot

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i very much look forward to Moonrise Kingdom.

i absolutely love The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox and likewise films. i wasn't big on Bottle Rocket, but also enjoyed Darjeeling Limited and other films. they certainly work for a certain type of humor though, which is why i thorough enjoy having a sense of humor that works with things like Parks and Recreation, The Royal Tenenbaums, Superbad and Strange Wilderness.

and Steve, looking at those pictures of Moonrise Kingdom makes me that much more anxious to see it. as expected, looks beautifully shot

Even more reason for me to not rush to watch Moonrise Kingdom...