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I definitely agree that the family films have overrun the CGI-animation market. As nice and great as most of them are, I'm surprised that none of them really capitolize on making things look more real or impressive (I guess it's cheaper, easier, and more stylish to keep things cartoony?). There have been some advances, but by now, shouldn't everything look like Avatar?
In the case of Pixar, it has nothing to do with ease or budget. They slave over targeting the "right" look for each character based on a desired psychological and emotional effect on the audience. Deliberately cartooney for a reason.
What does surprise me though, is that a large group of new studios has not emerged to embrace and exploit exactly what you are talking about. I could really get into a dark serious film with a look like Sucker Punch that was 100% CGI.
Guilty of: Probably more hated by professional critics, still considered loud, formulaic, cheesy, and brainless.
What I say: Chances are that if they cast Milla Jovovich in an Uwe Boll film with talking cows and a billion Jar Jar Binkses, I’d still see it, just for Milla. She’s really hot and awesome in, well, all these films. The film itself is really cool and fun. It has just the right amount of action: not too little, but not overly ambitious. It’s a stylish and moody zombie flick I can chill to, surpassed only by its immediate sequel.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 79:
[Show spoiler]Armageddon
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 39%
Guilty of: Considered loud, stupid, obnoxious, brainless, and messy.
What I say: The comedy made me laugh, which is a big plus for any Michael Bay film. The characters are endearing and fun, which is another benefit. The action and special effects totally rock. Most of the photography is gorgeous. Even though I don’t like this film as much as I used to, it sure does beat the snot out of Deep Impact.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 78:
[Show spoiler]Beneath the Planet of the Apes
They picked the worst place for a fight...
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 41%
Guilty of: Mostly considered cheap and stupid, especially compared to the first original film.
What I say: The bomb-worshipping mutants are cooler and s**t! This sequel is certainly not as deep or sophisticated as the first film, but I’ve always dug the style. It’s a raw and pulpy sci-fi flick that pits men, apes, and mutants in crazy bloody brawls. The film is also quite daring in its ending: a little stupid in the way the franchise painted itself into a corner, but it’s still a pretty bold move nonetheless.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 77:
[Show spoiler]Mission Impossible II
imdb score: 5.9 | RT score: 57%
Guilty of: All style, no substance.
What I say: I won’t deny that the style of this film really got in the way when I first saw it. John Woo went nuts with the slow-motion, the pigeons, the fire, the impossible stuntwork, and everything. It was only in repeat viewings that I learned to accept the style as it was: cool and wild! More importantly, I learned to appreciate the characters and the romance, which aren’t too terrible.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 76:
[Show spoiler]The Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Stop following me!
imdb score: 5.6 | RT score: 37%
Guilty of: Considered juvenile, simple, and lacking in substance.
What I say: It’s a short and silly picture, and I do think that it’s a notable drop in quality from the first film. I still enjoy the action and special effects: the Silver Surfer is one cool dude. Most of the humor is pretty decent, especially since it’s built pretty well around the dynamics of the characters. It probably could have been better in many ways, but it’s still good for a quick thrill.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 75:
[Show spoiler]Trail of the Screaming Forehead
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: Not Available
My head is killing me...
Guilty of: It’s bad, trust me.
What I say: This is one real doozy of a film: it makes me wonder who comes up with this crazy stuff. The film is about an invasion of aliens posing as foreheads, which latch onto people and take them over. Their one weakness: bells! A man would have to be crazy to think this film sounds intelligent in any way. However, with its incredibly awful dialogue, it is an instant comedy classic. It’s a film so ridiculously written with such ridiculous scenes that it’s hilarious. There really is no other film like it!
My score: 2.5/5
-------------------- 74:
[Show spoiler]Mission to Mars
imdb score: 5.4 | RT score: 25%
Guilty of: Considered messy, shallow, and stupid, especially with a haphazard script that borrows from too many other films (especially 2001: A Space Odyssey).
What I say: Despite some drag, the film does have visually impressive moments, especially in the opening scenes with the awesome sand-storm-worm thing. I always found the ending plot twists pretty interesting. Likable characters don’t hurt either. To me, this film goes hand-in-hand with most other space operas (or possibly other films about Mars).
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 73:
[Show spoiler]Lost in Space
imdb score: 4.9 | RT score: 27%
Guilty of: Silly, contrived, bland, unengaging.
What I say: The space battles totally rock. Other key scenes, such as the planet crumbling apart, are just as awesome. Scenes in between are pretty corny and silly, but the film overall does have a certain lighthearted spirit that makes it fun and easily-digestible. As far as the story goes, I have grown to appreciate the time-travel mechanics the film uses. Substance may still be pretty light, but I do enjoy the spectacle.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 72:
[Show spoiler]Wild Wild West
imdb score: 4.6 | RT score: 21%
Guilty of: Weak characters, unfunny comedy.
What I say: Well, the comedy really isn’t all that funny. I do get a kick out of the giant robo-spider thing that runs amok in the film’s final half. The whole film is loaded with wild and interesting steampunk gizmos. Barry Sonnenfeld applies his usual flair for weird and wild visuals. Above all, the film is fast-paced and has loads of action. Funny thing is, I never thought I’d associate “fast-paced” and “loads of action” to westerns.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 71:
[Show spoiler]Next
Everybody looks like this when watching these movies.
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 28%
What I say: The film has issues, certainly, but it does have some visually impressive scenes. Action and style rarely disappoint. The film takes its core concept and plays around with it in some interesting and entertaining ways. It helps that Nicholas Cage plays it cool and is fun to watch here.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 70:
[Show spoiler]Babylon A.D.
imdb score: 5.4 | RT score: 7%
Guilty of: Considered weak and poorly constructed in terms of story, script, and action.
What I say: If you haven’t guessed already, yes, the action and visuals are cool. Biggest standouts will be in watching snowmobiles trying to outrun robot drones, and the slow-motion rocket exploding. Story and characters didn’t jive with me at first, but I grew to appreciate them on repeat viewings. It probably could have been better in some ways, but I learned to take it for what it is.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 69:
[Show spoiler]Ghost Ship
imdb score: 5.3 | RT score: 13%
Guilty of: Plot considered weak, not scary.
What I say: First thing’s first: the opening scene is wicked! I think it should hold the record for most torsos severed all at once! From then on, the film has its share of interesting moments, but it all really comes together in the last act. The film’s major plot twist not only puts the whole thing into perspective, but I also felt it was one cool concept. It builds up to a really wicked final shot, and thus a satisfying horror flick.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 68:
[Show spoiler]Battlefield Earth
imdb score: 2.4 | RT score: 2%
Guilty of: Pretty much considered one of the worst, if not THE worst, movies of all time.
What I say: When I saw this, I was a mere high-schooler. I didn’t care for the overuse of dutch camera angles, or the cheesiness of John Travolta’s acting, or the stupidity of certain plot points. All I knew was that I saw harrier jets chasing down alien ships, and it was cool! The ending had one of the best planetary explosions I had ever seen, and I was blown away! These days, I can see what makes the film bad. I still don’t think it’s all that bad, but bad all the same. I’ll still always enjoy it for its action, and for bringing some of the more memorable scenes from the book to life.
My score: 2.5/5
-------------------- 67:
[Show spoiler]The Mummy Returns
Cat fights of the ancients.
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: 33%
Guilty of: Considered weak with the story and characters.
What I say: At the time, I thought it was actually better than the first film. If nothing else, the action and visuals are definitely bigger and more ambitious: there are a bunch of awesome fight scenes, the Army of Anubis is a sight to behold, and various scenes here and there never fail to entertain. While I’ll admit now that the first film is fresher and more original, I enjoy them both really well and frequently revisit this sequel to relive the adventure.
Guilty of: Overblown, weak plot and characters, derivative.
What I say: I was surprised, this film was a blast! The action is frequent and incredible, with loads of impressive scenes. It is a pretty simple story with ridiculous proportions, but if I want a quick and easy dose of big fiery action, this would be one of my top choices.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 65:
[Show spoiler]The Happening
Something is happening off screen...I think...
imdb score: 5.1 | RT score: 17%
Guilty of: Considered incoherent and unconvincing. Nobody really believed the spiel about the plants rising up against the human race. Also panned for poor acting and writing.
What I say: For the longest time, I was accustomed to regarding all of M. Night Shyamalan’s work as something intelligent, with a strong Hitchcockian vibe. Even when The Happening came out, I regarded it as Hitchcockian, and I felt it delivered. The film has a very interesting style and strong photography. I felt it presented its concept in a manner that’s straight and sincere. I found the drama compelling, along with the characters. The hate over this film has always confused me, because I never saw much wrong with it.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 64:
[Show spoiler]My Science Project
"The future is a funky groove!"
imdb score: 5.6 | RT score: 20%
Guilty of: Cheesy, bad writing and direction.
What I say: Like many films of the 80s, this one knows what the meaning of “fun” is. It is cheesy to some degree, but it sure is fun. Even the cheesy dialogue and lines are fun. What I like best, however, is the story and special effects: I always found the central concept of a space-time warp going out of control very interesting. It gets really random and weird as the story goes on, but that’s part of what makes this film such a wild and fun trip.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 63:
[Show spoiler]Alien vs. Predator
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: 21%
Guilty of: They took two R-rated franchises and watered them down to a weak and dull PG-13 fare. Poor characters don’t help.
What I say: I do agree that some more blood and guts might have helped this film a bit, the unrated cut does have a little more oomph to it. In time, I learned to forgive the film of many of its flaws, so I can just sit back and enjoy the thrilling smackdown between the famous monsters. If nothing else, the film does a great job of staging the fights between the aliens and predators, while adhering to the established traits and abilities that make each creature so wicked (even if the chestbursters gestate way too rapidly in this film). I was always intrigued by the flashback scenes which tie the two races together; it’s somewhat smart stuff. Even though AvP is widely considered one of the weakest entries for both the Alien and Predator movies, it has plenty of redeemable moments.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 62:
[Show spoiler]The Day After Tomorrow
So, this will happen on Friday?
imdb score: 6.3 | RT score: 45%
Guilty of: Considered absurd with bad dialogue. Ice chases people.
What I say: Twisters rip up Los Angeles, giant tidal waves wash over New York, and then the world freezes over. How cool is that? If nothing else, the special effects and mass destruction are really top-notch spectacles worth watching repeatedly. The plot is pretty silly and the characters border on the brink of stupidity, but by disaster movie standards, this film is relatively fun and mostly well-made (remember, disaster movie standards. Anybody who thinks this movie is bad should go out and see Arctic Blast or Birdemic; now those are some real disasters!).
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 61:
[Show spoiler]Troll 2
Death by popcorn flicks.
imdb score: 2.4 | RT score: 0%
What I say: One of my top contenders for best movie that’s so-bad-it’s-good. The dialogue is so terrible, it’s often hilarious. Just about every scene in this movie defies all sense of normal logic. At times, it’s kinda hard to tell if this film is trying to be serious and was just made poorly, or if the filmmakers purposefully put their heart into making a self-consciously bad movie. As the latter, it’s highly successful. As the former, it’s still a hoot for being a film that’s unintentionally funny.
In the case of Pixar, it has nothing to do with ease or budget. They slave over targeting the "right" look for each character based on a desired psychological and emotional effect on the audience. Deliberately cartooney for a reason.
What does surprise me though, is that a large group of new studios has not emerged to embrace and exploit exactly what you are talking about. I could really get into a dark serious film with a look like Sucker Punch that was 100% CGI.
As I was writing that post, I was thinking to myself, well Pixar was always pushing the envelope.
Like you said though, I would love to see more realistic, dark, and serious stuff as CGI films. I'd definitely love a Sucker Punch style one, but more CGI anime would be awesome too (so far, I've only seen the FF and Resident Evil ones; I'm wondering how something like The Ninja Scroll would translate as a CGI film). In any case, I think the economic climate these days has not been conductive of anything edgy or risky like that, so companies like Dreamworks or Fox or whatever just seem to bank on what's currently working (namely, the Pixar stuff) rather than to pioneer anything new.
Guilty of: Probably more hated by professional critics, still considered loud, formulaic, cheesy, and brainless.
What I say: Chances are that if they cast Milla Jovovich in an Uwe Boll film with talking cows and a billion Jar Jar Binkses, I’d still see it, just for Milla. She’s really hot and awesome in, well, all these films. The film itself is really cool and fun. It has just the right amount of action: not too little, but not overly ambitious. It’s a stylish and moody zombie flick I can chill to, surpassed only by its immediate sequel.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 79:
[Show spoiler]Armageddon
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 39%
Guilty of: Considered loud, stupid, obnoxious, brainless, and messy.
What I say: The comedy made me laugh, which is a big plus for any Michael Bay film. The characters are endearing and fun, which is another benefit. The action and special effects totally rock. Most of the photography is gorgeous. Even though I don’t like this film as much as I used to, it sure does beat the snot out of Deep Impact.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 78:
[Show spoiler]Beneath the Planet of the Apes
They picked the worst place for a fight...
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 41%
Guilty of: Mostly considered cheap and stupid, especially compared to the first original film.
What I say: The bomb-worshipping mutants are cooler and s**t! This sequel is certainly not as deep or sophisticated as the first film, but I’ve always dug the style. It’s a raw and pulpy sci-fi flick that pits men, apes, and mutants in crazy bloody brawls. The film is also quite daring in its ending: a little stupid in the way the franchise painted itself into a corner, but it’s still a pretty bold move nonetheless.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 77:
[Show spoiler]Mission Impossible II
imdb score: 5.9 | RT score: 57%
Guilty of: All style, no substance.
What I say: I won’t deny that the style of this film really got in the way when I first saw it. John Woo went nuts with the slow-motion, the pigeons, the fire, the impossible stuntwork, and everything. It was only in repeat viewings that I learned to accept the style as it was: cool and wild! More importantly, I learned to appreciate the characters and the romance, which aren’t too terrible.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 76:
[Show spoiler]The Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Stop following me!
imdb score: 5.6 | RT score: 37%
Guilty of: Considered juvenile, simple, and lacking in substance.
What I say: It’s a short and silly picture, and I do think that it’s a notable drop in quality from the first film. I still enjoy the action and special effects: the Silver Surfer is one cool dude. Most of the humor is pretty decent, especially since it’s built pretty well around the dynamics of the characters. It probably could have been better in many ways, but it’s still good for a quick thrill.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 75:
[Show spoiler]Trail of the Screaming Forehead
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: Not Available
My head is killing me...
Guilty of: It’s bad, trust me.
What I say: This is one real doozy of a film: it makes me wonder who comes up with this crazy stuff. The film is about an invasion of aliens posing as foreheads, which latch onto people and take them over. Their one weakness: bells! A man would have to be crazy to think this film sounds intelligent in any way. However, with its incredibly awful dialogue, it is an instant comedy classic. It’s a film so ridiculously written with such ridiculous scenes that it’s hilarious. There really is no other film like it!
My score: 2.5/5
-------------------- 74:
[Show spoiler]Mission to Mars
imdb score: 5.4 | RT score: 25%
Guilty of: Considered messy, shallow, and stupid, especially with a haphazard script that borrows from too many other films (especially 2001: A Space Odyssey).
What I say: Despite some drag, the film does have visually impressive moments, especially in the opening scenes with the awesome sand-storm-worm thing. I always found the ending plot twists pretty interesting. Likable characters don’t hurt either. To me, this film goes hand-in-hand with most other space operas (or possibly other films about Mars).
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 73:
[Show spoiler]Lost in Space
imdb score: 4.9 | RT score: 27%
Guilty of: Silly, contrived, bland, unengaging.
What I say: The space battles totally rock. Other key scenes, such as the planet crumbling apart, are just as awesome. Scenes in between are pretty corny and silly, but the film overall does have a certain lighthearted spirit that makes it fun and easily-digestible. As far as the story goes, I have grown to appreciate the time-travel mechanics the film uses. Substance may still be pretty light, but I do enjoy the spectacle.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 72:
[Show spoiler]Wild Wild West
imdb score: 4.6 | RT score: 21%
Guilty of: Weak characters, unfunny comedy.
What I say: Well, the comedy really isn’t all that funny. I do get a kick out of the giant robo-spider thing that runs amok in the film’s final half. The whole film is loaded with wild and interesting steampunk gizmos. Barry Sonnenfeld applies his usual flair for weird and wild visuals. Above all, the film is fast-paced and has loads of action. Funny thing is, I never thought I’d associate “fast-paced” and “loads of action” to westerns.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 71:
[Show spoiler]Next
Everybody looks like this when watching these movies.
imdb score: 6.1 | RT score: 28%
What I say: The film has issues, certainly, but it does have some visually impressive scenes. Action and style rarely disappoint. The film takes its core concept and plays around with it in some interesting and entertaining ways. It helps that Nicholas Cage plays it cool and is fun to watch here.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 70:
[Show spoiler]Babylon A.D.
imdb score: 5.4 | RT score: 7%
Guilty of: Considered weak and poorly constructed in terms of story, script, and action.
What I say: If you haven’t guessed already, yes, the action and visuals are cool. Biggest standouts will be in watching snowmobiles trying to outrun robot drones, and the slow-motion rocket exploding. Story and characters didn’t jive with me at first, but I grew to appreciate them on repeat viewings. It probably could have been better in some ways, but I learned to take it for what it is.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 69:
[Show spoiler]Ghost Ship
imdb score: 5.3 | RT score: 13%
Guilty of: Plot considered weak, not scary.
What I say: First thing’s first: the opening scene is wicked! I think it should hold the record for most torsos severed all at once! From then on, the film has its share of interesting moments, but it all really comes together in the last act. The film’s major plot twist not only puts the whole thing into perspective, but I also felt it was one cool concept. It builds up to a really wicked final shot, and thus a satisfying horror flick.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 68:
[Show spoiler]Battlefield Earth
imdb score: 2.4 | RT score: 2%
Guilty of: Pretty much considered one of the worst, if not THE worst, movies of all time.
What I say: When I saw this, I was a mere high-schooler. I didn’t care for the overuse of dutch camera angles, or the cheesiness of John Travolta’s acting, or the stupidity of certain plot points. All I knew was that I saw harrier jets chasing down alien ships, and it was cool! The ending had one of the best planetary explosions I had ever seen, and I was blown away! These days, I can see what makes the film bad. I still don’t think it’s all that bad, but bad all the same. I’ll still always enjoy it for its action, and for bringing some of the more memorable scenes from the book to life.
My score: 2.5/5
-------------------- 67:
[Show spoiler]The Mummy Returns
Cat fights of the ancients.
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: 33%
Guilty of: Considered weak with the story and characters.
What I say: At the time, I thought it was actually better than the first film. If nothing else, the action and visuals are definitely bigger and more ambitious: there are a bunch of awesome fight scenes, the Army of Anubis is a sight to behold, and various scenes here and there never fail to entertain. While I’ll admit now that the first film is fresher and more original, I enjoy them both really well and frequently revisit this sequel to relive the adventure.
Guilty of: Overblown, weak plot and characters, derivative.
What I say: I was surprised, this film was a blast! The action is frequent and incredible, with loads of impressive scenes. It is a pretty simple story with ridiculous proportions, but if I want a quick and easy dose of big fiery action, this would be one of my top choices.
My score: 3/5
-------------------- 65:
[Show spoiler]The Happening
Something is happening off screen...I think...
imdb score: 5.1 | RT score: 17%
Guilty of: Considered incoherent and unconvincing. Nobody really believed the spiel about the plants rising up against the human race. Also panned for poor acting and writing.
What I say: For the longest time, I was accustomed to regarding all of M. Night Shyamalan’s work as something intelligent, with a strong Hitchcockian vibe. Even when The Happening came out, I regarded it as Hitchcockian, and I felt it delivered. The film has a very interesting style and strong photography. I felt it presented its concept in a manner that’s straight and sincere. I found the drama compelling, along with the characters. The hate over this film has always confused me, because I never saw much wrong with it.
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 64:
[Show spoiler]My Science Project
"The future is a funky groove!"
imdb score: 5.6 | RT score: 20%
Guilty of: Cheesy, bad writing and direction.
What I say: Like many films of the 80s, this one knows what the meaning of “fun” is. It is cheesy to some degree, but it sure is fun. Even the cheesy dialogue and lines are fun. What I like best, however, is the story and special effects: I always found the central concept of a space-time warp going out of control very interesting. It gets really random and weird as the story goes on, but that’s part of what makes this film such a wild and fun trip.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 63:
[Show spoiler]Alien vs. Predator
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: 21%
Guilty of: They took two R-rated franchises and watered them down to a weak and dull PG-13 fare. Poor characters don’t help.
What I say: I do agree that some more blood and guts might have helped this film a bit, the unrated cut does have a little more oomph to it. In time, I learned to forgive the film of many of its flaws, so I can just sit back and enjoy the thrilling smackdown between the famous monsters. If nothing else, the film does a great job of staging the fights between the aliens and predators, while adhering to the established traits and abilities that make each creature so wicked (even if the chestbursters gestate way too rapidly in this film). I was always intrigued by the flashback scenes which tie the two races together; it’s somewhat smart stuff. Even though AvP is widely considered one of the weakest entries for both the Alien and Predator movies, it has plenty of redeemable moments.
My score: 4/5
-------------------- 62:
[Show spoiler]The Day After Tomorrow
So, this will happen on Friday?
imdb score: 6.3 | RT score: 45%
Guilty of: Considered absurd with bad dialogue. Ice chases people.
What I say: Twisters rip up Los Angeles, giant tidal waves wash over New York, and then the world freezes over. How cool is that? If nothing else, the special effects and mass destruction are really top-notch spectacles worth watching repeatedly. The plot is pretty silly and the characters border on the brink of stupidity, but by disaster movie standards, this film is relatively fun and mostly well-made (remember, disaster movie standards. Anybody who thinks this movie is bad should go out and see Arctic Blast or Birdemic; now those are some real disasters!).
My score: 3.5/5
-------------------- 61:
[Show spoiler]Troll 2
Death by popcorn flicks.
imdb score: 2.4 | RT score: 0%
What I say: One of my top contenders for best movie that’s so-bad-it’s-good. The dialogue is so terrible, it’s often hilarious. Just about every scene in this movie defies all sense of normal logic. At times, it’s kinda hard to tell if this film is trying to be serious and was just made poorly, or if the filmmakers purposefully put their heart into making a self-consciously bad movie. As the latter, it’s highly successful. As the former, it’s still a hoot for being a film that’s unintentionally funny.
My score: 2.5/5
To be continued...
9 this time, and I wouldn't mind seeing a few of the others. I told you things would get better once you got farther into this.
In the case of Pixar, it has nothing to do with ease or budget. They slave over targeting the "right" look for each character based on a desired psychological and emotional effect on the audience. Deliberately cartooney for a reason.
What does surprise me though, is that a large group of new studios has not emerged to embrace and exploit exactly what you are talking about. I could really get into a dark serious film with a look like Sucker Punch that was 100% CGI.
All of the character designs besides the main protagonist squad in Rise of the Guardians were very generic looking. The children in the film and even Jude Law's boogeyman villain had very simple, uninspired designs. I like it when they are infused with more personality and they do nail it most of the time. One of my favorite designs from recently is from the mind of Tim Burton. The science teacher in Frankenweenie is one of the coolest looking character designs since Jessica Rabbit:
[Show spoiler]
Last edited by Lepidopterous; 01-16-2013 at 09:44 PM.
imdb score: 5.5 | RT score: Not Available
My head is killing me...
Guilty of: It’s bad, trust me.
What I say: This is one real doozy of a film: it makes me wonder who comes up with this crazy stuff. The film is about an invasion of aliens posing as foreheads, which latch onto people and take them over. Their one weakness: bells! A man would have to be crazy to think this film sounds intelligent in any way. However, with its incredibly awful dialogue, it is an instant comedy classic. It’s a film so ridiculously written with such ridiculous scenes that it’s hilarious. There really is no other film like it!
Guilty of: Probably more hated by professional critics, still considered loud, formulaic, cheesy, and brainless.
What I say: Chances are that if they cast Milla Jovovich in an Uwe Boll film with talking cows and a billion Jar Jar Binkses, I’d still see it, just for Milla. She’s really hot and awesome in, well, all these films. The film itself is really cool and fun. It has just the right amount of action: not too little, but not overly ambitious. It’s a stylish and moody zombie flick I can chill to, surpassed only by its immediate sequel.
My score: 4/5
--------------------
My favorite of the list so far. And it would probably make my top 50 all-time favorites. You forgot its best element--horror. I probably wouldn't hate 4 and 5 as much if the first one wasn't so promising. You probably remember how I feel already here.
Watched Amour again tonight. It hit me even harder the second time around. I usually wait several months before ranking it on my top list, but I want to say this one is an exception... very much a Top 100 film for me. I would give it my highest recommendation but it might be too much to handle for some. Very heavy stuff.
I expected to hate this film, but for some reason it appealed to me. When I first saw the trailer, it felt different than Wes Anderson's other films, so I decided I was going to eventually watch it... I am glad I did. This is the only other film of his I had a positive experience with (the first being Rushmore). His quirkiness is all still there, but it is not unbearable. It feels at times like The Little Rascals or Heavyweights, but it's much richer and more mature.
One credit I always give to Anderson no matter how much I hate his films is the cinematography. Always great, and this is no exception. Another big strength of Moonrise is the cast. The scenes where the adults argued were hilarious. Everyone had chemistry. The storytelling was pretty good and the dialogue was cute. High replay value because I can easily watch this again. Never thought the day would come.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
dir. Shinichiro Watanabe
The Good:Great animation. Some nicely framed and composed shots. Exciting action sequences. Fantastic soundtrack.
The Bad:Plot isn't that interesting or original. The supporting protagonists don't do much. The ending, so cheesy.
The Bottom Line:I'll admit I haven't seen the widely popular TV series, so judging it as a stand-alone film, it's a bit underwhelming, although I could see how much fun the show might be. Worth checking out for fans of anime and maybe even Joss Whedon's similarly themed live-action series, Firefly and the movie, Serenity.
I agree, but all the characters bumping into each other wasn't much of an annoying considering it's stage play
What do you think of Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Botham Carter, I loved their first musical number and their scenes around that, but every time after that when they appeared it was excruciatingly painful.
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but it's definitely the weakest out of the best picture nods I've seen this year. (Seen five so far)
Yeah, but this one's a movie, so they should've at least fixed those. It just comes off as lazy writing to me. I'm pretty sure they're not the only ways for the plot to advance, they're just the easy ways.
I didn't like Cohen and Carter. I thought they played useless characters. They were annoying too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DjMethod
Moonrise Kingdom
I expected to hate this film, but for some reason it appealed to me. When I first saw the trailer, it felt different than Wes Anderson's other films, so I decided I was going to eventually watch it... I am glad I did. This is the only other film of his I had a positive experience with (the first being Rushmore). His quirkiness is all still there, but it is not unbearable. It feels at times like The Little Rascals or Heavyweights, but it's much richer and more mature.
One credit I always give to Anderson no matter how much I hate his films is the cinematography. Always great, and this is no exception. Another big strength of Moonrise is the cast. The scenes where the adults argued were hilarious. Everyone had chemistry. The storytelling was pretty good and the dialogue was cute. High replay value because I can easily watch this again. Never thought the day would come.
4/5
I'm completely baffled by how this was snubbed for Best Cinematography. When I think of the most gorgeous films from last year, only three come to mind: Samsara, Life of Pi, and Moonrise Kingdom. No recognition for the production design/art direction and costume design either. And let's not forget Best Picture. The Academy must really hate Wes Anderson.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
dir. Shinichiro Watanabe
The Good:Great animation. Some nicely framed and composed shots. Exciting action sequences. Fantastic soundtrack.
The Bad:Plot isn't that interesting or original. The supporting protagonists don't do much. The ending, so cheesy.
The Bottom Line:I'll admit I haven't seen the widely popular TV series, so judging it as a stand-alone film, it's a bit underwhelming, although I could see how much fun the show might be. Worth checking out for fans of anime and maybe even Joss Whedon's similarly themed live-action series, Firefly and the movie, Serenity.
Only seen a few of the episodes from the show, I liked them enough it's just a strange watch. One episode will be dark, violent and noir-ish and the next will be goofy cutesy stuff with a fluffy animal
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
dir. Shinichiro Watanabe
The Good:Great animation. Some nicely framed and composed shots. Exciting action sequences. Fantastic soundtrack.
The Bad:Plot isn't that interesting or original. The supporting protagonists don't do much. The ending, so cheesy.
The Bottom Line:I'll admit I haven't seen the widely popular TV series, so judging it as a stand-alone film, it's a bit underwhelming, although I could see how much fun the show might be. Worth checking out for fans of anime and maybe even Joss Whedon's similarly themed live-action series, Firefly and the movie, Serenity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy
Only seen a few of the episodes from the show, I liked them enough it's just a strange watch. One episode will be dark, violent and noir-ish and the next will be goofy cutesy stuff with a fluffy animal
You know, you're both absolutely right, but it's still one of my top favorite franchises.
Like jvince, I did watch the film first before the series, but I rated it much higher than he did. I do agree that the story is pretty standard though, and the TV series is a lot better.
My favorite of the list so far. And it would probably make my top 50 all-time favorites. You forgot its best element--horror. I probably wouldn't hate 4 and 5 as much if the first one wasn't so promising. You probably remember how I feel already here.
I've always seen it as an acton series rather than horror, so the whole lot of them have appealed to me. I do get what you mean though: the first film has a few good flashes of creepiness and horror, but it gets ditched pretty fast in the sequels.
I'm completely baffled by how this was snubbed for Best Cinematography. When I think of the most gorgeous films from last year, only three come to mind: Samsara, Life of Pi, and Moonrise Kingdom. No recognition for the production design/art direction and costume design either. And let's not forget Best Picture. The Academy must really hate Wes Anderson.
I would think the cast would get a best ensemble SAG nod too.
What do you think of Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Botham Carter, I loved their first musical number and their scenes around that, but every time after that when they appeared it was excruciatingly painful.
Hmm I thought the opposite. The first number at the whor3house was excruciatingly long for me but I lol'd at Sacha during his smaller scenes.
You know, you're both absolutely right, but it's still one of my top favorite franchises.
One of my favorite anime series for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
I've always seen it as an acton series rather than horror, so the whole lot of them have appealed to me. I do get what you mean though: the first film has a few good flashes of creepiness and horror, but it gets ditched pretty fast in the sequels.
I came in as a big fan of the games though, which were all survival horror (until the Resident Evil 5 game, but that was made after Extinction). The first film was the best adaptation as far as the feel of the games and the second was the most faithful character-wise.
I don't like Capcom anymore though. They don't give a sh** about their fans and are in it for the money now (kind of like Paul WS Anderson).
I expected to hate this film, but for some reason it appealed to me. When I first saw the trailer, it felt different than Wes Anderson's other films, so I decided I was going to eventually watch it... I am glad I did. This is the only other film of his I had a positive experience with (the first being Rushmore). His quirkiness is all still there, but it is not unbearable. It feels at times like The Little Rascals or Heavyweights, but it's much richer and more mature.
One credit I always give to Anderson no matter how much I hate his films is the cinematography. Always great, and this is no exception. Another big strength of Moonrise is the cast. The scenes where the adults argued were hilarious. Everyone had chemistry. The storytelling was pretty good and the dialogue was cute. High replay value because I can easily watch this again. Never thought the day would come.
4/5
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Moonrise Kingdom
I strongly dislike all of Wes Andersons films except Bottle Rocket, which I only found borderline tolerable. Actually, I loathe his films. However, I understand what he is trying to do and appreciate that he has his own strong style. Ironically, it is his style that I hate. That said, something I cant explain always draws me to his latest film to see if this is "The One" that finally works for me.
Moonrise Kingdom is a ridiculous film, with corny dialogue, goofy cartoonesque performances, and overly deliberately artistic camera work that clashes with the rest of the movies qualities. I loved it. It was perfect. Perfectly weird.
I think the reason this one worked for me was because it was about kids, and somehow that made everything magically OK.
However, the ending caused me to lower my score. It felt like a hiccup in the emotional pacing. They got it all wrong IMO. I think if they rearranged the order of the final five scenes, and deleted one of them, the film would have had much more emotional punch.
[Show spoiler]Why include his assasination and viewing him on his death bed, and then do a flashback to his speech? Why do that BAD headfake at the other theater, not at the actual Ford Theater? Lame.
It should have gone like this;
1. He tours the battlefield on horseback and then sits and talks to Grant. (A witnessing of the end of the suffering)
2. He gives the speech. (The begining of the healing and rebuilding process)
3. He is told by his Butler that Mary is waiting in the carriage, he gets up and departs, walking down that hallway..............
END
We all know where he was going and what happened.
Spielberg and Kushner should have checked with me for approval.
Other than that it was damn good.
I did see one MAJOR CGI blooper. And it was smack in the middle of the screen for a long long time, allowing me to really check it out. An architural blunder. I'd like to see it on Blu-ray for further examination. The funny thing is, if they discover it, I cant think of any way for them to fix it.
Film 4/5 (would have been a 4.5 or a 5 with my ending )
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). There have been some advances, but by now, shouldn't everything look like Avatar?
The Academy must really hate Wes Anderson.
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