The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: Love Exposure

Truly a one-of-a-kind experience: this is a massive epic that weaves an impressively deep and invoking story, which includes the search for true love, coming-of-age themes, family values, kung-fu, cross-dressing, upskirt photography, perverts, religion, sin, fanaticism, and dangerous cults. Only in Japan...

You'd think that a four hour movie (yes, FOUR hours! To think the film was originally going to be six hours) would get tiresome, but surprisingly, Love Exposure never once drags. Somehow, it strikes a perfect pace, never too fast and never too slow. It'll have scenes that are so wild and crazy that they're hilarious. It also has scenes that are somber and poetic. Overall, the film takes its time to let the story and characters breathe, making the story and characters easily accessible and relate-able, and it does so without being boring or overdone.

You'd also think that this film could be cut down further, but strangely, the story actually benefits from its lengthy runtime, and uses up every minute of it. It goes through three, four, five or so different characters, all with their own crazy and insightful backstories, who inevitably collide and create interesting new plot complications. With so many issues at work with so many characters, the film creates many complex relationships, and uses them to weave a tight and dense plot. The manner in which this plot is presented makes it pretty easy to comprehend, allowing the viewer to fully understand one strand of the plot before diving into another. It's also very effective at getting the viewer to care about the characters, even if they are crazy or violent or freaks. With such an ambitious plot structure at work, the film manages to dig up some important themes regarding love, life, and religion, and possibly other things.

The film is shot and edited in an interesting manner; at times, the way it frames and puts images together reminds me a lot of an anime series. As such, it is a stylish film with purposeful composition. Acting is pretty decent all around, and the writing is great. This production makes the best out of its utilitarian sets, props, and costumes. Music, while brusquely used, is strangely addictive and effective.

It's a long and crazy film, just as I expected, but it's also a film I couldn't stop watching, because its characters were so invoking, its themes so rich, and I found it so compelling overall.

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

Recommendation: There's nothing to be ashamed of. Watch this movie and confess your sins.

On Blu-Ray, this movie can be wildly inconsistent. Some scenes will look great. Others will have a gaudy amount of grain and noise (especially darker scenes or night scenes). Others seem really soft. Others look like they were made soft on purpose to simulate the look of an old-fashioned documentary. The picture is sharp throughout, but it'll look sharper in some scenes than in others. Colors and contrast will also vary. Chances are that all these issues may stem from having too many sources or something. Sound quality is generally not bad; most of the dialogue is clear and some scenes have a good surround noises, but some scenes have horrible sound.

PQ: 3.5/5, AQ: 3/5
----------
Thanks to Foggy and jvince and anybody else I may have forgotten for their reviews and recommendations on this.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Hi Surf. I didnt overlook it. I just didn't think I should add any smartass comment, you know, since thats not my style.

Perhaps if you reflect on my stance regarding The Hurtlocker's shortcomings, you'll come to your senses regarding Shane Walsh's inability to seriously contemplate anything other than his penis.

dude, I came SO close to spitting out my coffee!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

dude, I came SO close to spitting out my coffee!!

I'm here all week.

You have not responded to my homework assignment. Sup?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: Love Exposure

5/5 (Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good

Is this a new favourite film?

To be honest when I sat down and watched it, I started watching it at 10 o'clock at night to finish up the next day, but dread really began to fill up when I started it with the religious opening (I was thinking, okay, here we go, I'm not going to make it through an hour of this). But when it reached the up

[Show spoiler]skirt photography

boot camp I was instantly hooked and watched the entire thing until early hours of the morning.

Not only that, but I still remember so much of what goes on in this film, considering I watched it just under two years ago absolutely shattered, I'll try and pick this one up some time soon since I really want to see how it plays out again on repeat viewing.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Never seen it...

I love it, it's bombastic and excellent character study. Hardy is electrifying, Refn's Drive is a lot more even and majestic, but Bronson is a lot stronger in parts and elements than Drive.

[mimurph1]

Tonight I watched Helter Skelter [Mika Ninagawa, 2012], which I enjoyed very much and I'm quite surprised by the low scores I've seen floating around the internet. Maybe I got sucked in too much with the visuals instead of what was going on

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Its worth seeing, especially for the unmasked Tom Hardy performance. I certainly think Refn's Drive is better, but it's a pretty brutal funshow nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Foggy

I love it, it's bombastic and excellent character study. Hardy is electrifying, Refn's Drive is a lot more even and majestic, but Bronson is a lot stronger in parts and elements than Drive.

I didn't realize it's the same director! I was so confused why you guys both brought up Drive... I don't know why I always assumed Refn was a first-time director. Definitely tacked it onto my watchlist.

His upcoming film looks good. A lot of major directors are releasing their "next big one" this year. 2013 looks like it'll turn out great.

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

For the list of the best movies of 2009, I feel that it's my duty to add these gems because they've been overlooked:

- Up in the Air

- The Fantastic Mr. Fox

- Moon

- Zombieland (although I'm not sure it tops anyone's list)

- A Single Man (worth seeing for Colin Firth's performance alone)

I don't know how I forgot A Single Man. It was in my Top 20 but got bumped off. I agree, Firth's subtle performance is the reason to see that movie. To be honest, with the whole back-to-back "past-timer vs. homosexual best acting race", the Oscar got it backwards both times IMO. Mickey Rourke should have beat Sean Penn's Harvey Milk in 2008 and Colin Firth should have beat Jeff Bridges's Bad Blake in 2009. However, Firth's best acting win the following year righted that wrong. And I have a lot of respect for Sean Penn--I consider him the best living actor next to DDL and Streep. Not to mention his last scene in Milk was acted to perfection.

Originally Posted by Romulus

2006, 2008, and 2010 were my favorite years. I thought 2009 was incredibly weak overall. But man... 2006 was near perfection in my opinion.

Interesting because I feel the opposite, though I think there is unanimous agreement that 2006 was the best year of the past decade. I find '07, '09, and '11 stronger than the past three even years. My 2007 top 5 is like 2006 in that they are all in or near my top 100 and very full 5/5's.

[Show spoiler]1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
2. No Country for Old Men
3. Ratatouille
4. The Orphanage
5. There Will Be Blood

In comparison, even my #1 film in 2009 (A Serious Man) doesn't dip into my top 100. Rather '09 is a "year of many silvers". It stands out to me because there are simply so many I love from that year. All subjective

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

_

1. A Serious Man - didn't work for me - I thought some of the jokes were over the line, but my Jewish friend said they weren't so what do I know - It's weird but it all worked for me. Incredibly brilliant and subtle. Really gets you thinking afterwards.
2. Inglourious Basterds - Tarantino is hit or miss with me, and this just didn't hit. I appreciate what he tries to do and he's very original but each scene seemed like a compartmentalized attempt to shock the audience with gore. I couldn't see the big picture - There's no question that Tarantino "tries" very hard, but it's because he knows exactly what he wants. It was violent but not over the top imo. This one also grew on me. I definitely consider it a classic now.
3. Thirst didn't see it recommend? - YES! Right away.
4. A Prophet didn't see it recommend? - YES! Right away.
5. 500 Days of Summer good stuff! loved the "reality/expectations" split screen! - Infinite replay value. I want to visit Angels Knoll next time I'm in LA.
6. The Road loved it -
7. Mr. Nobody didn't see it recommend? - Yes! This has a Butterfly Effect-type premise and primarily appeals to me because that is one of my favorite concepts. Butterfly Effect, Source Code, and Mr. Nobody are all in the same vein. >>Review
8. Up great, loved it.
9. Star Trek didn't see it - Blind-buy it now...
10. Mother didn't see it - Korean revenge flick. Anybody who has had an Asian girlfriend can understand how protective Asian mothers can be.
11. The Hurt Locker liked it until Squid bullied me into agreeing with him that the bomb dude would NEVER get away with the stuff he did, in real life - Honestly, I barely remember this movie now. I have to give it another watch but will probably bump it down considering it ended up being forgettable. I remember loving it though and it almost topped my list at the time.
12. The White Ribbon didn't see it Exceptional film if you take it purely thematically and brace yourself for an ending that doesn't explain anything.
13. Coraline YES YES YES!!!! MY #3 OF 2009 BEHIND TRIANGLE AND FISH TANK - Love it
14. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Yes! Loved it! 5/5! - Are all your 2009 faves covered?
15. Watchmen Dude, I did not like this , which is cool . Did you read the comic? I heard that helped provide context. - I did read the comic. Big Alan Moore fan. I guess it doesn't do a good job introducing its world to new fans but if you go in already knowing them, it conveys Gibbons' artistic vision and Moore's philosophical weight from the graphic novel exceptionally well. Probably the best graphic novel adaptation next to Frank Miller's Sin City.
16. Drag Me to Hell didn't see it - This gave me hands down one of the most fun theatrical experiences of my life. Delivers both horror and comic thrills from beginning to end.
17. District 9 Good film, but didn't move me off the couch - I was blown away on my first viewing. Lost a little of its effect on my second though.
18. Broken Embraces didn't see it - >>Review
19. The Lovely Bones didn't see it - Definitely check it out. I think this one was hit-or-miss.
20. Last Train Home didn't see it - >>Review

-------------------------------------------
Thanks for your response. Comments above.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Is this a new favourite film?

To be honest when I sat down and watched it, I started watching it at 10 o'clock at night to finish up the next day, but dread really began to fill up when I started it with the religious opening (I was thinking, okay, here we go, I'm not going to make it through an hour of this). But when it reached the up

[Show spoiler]skirt photography

boot camp I was instantly hooked and watched the entire thing until early hours of the morning.

Not only that, but I still remember so much of what goes on in this film, considering I watched it just under two years ago absolutely shattered, I'll try and pick this one up some time soon since I really want to see how it plays out again on repeat viewing.

Right on. Sounds like serious dedication.

I'll have to wait and see what the film's resonance value will be (only time and personal impression can determine that). As you say though, most of it is highly memorable, so I think it'll stick to me pretty well. If I redo the top 100 list a few years from now, it might penetrate the top 30 or so.

[jvince]

The Eagleman Stag - YouTube

The Eagleman Stag (2010)
dir. Michael Please

The Good: Absolutely impressive and unique stop-motion animation; Everything is white and made of... styrofoam! Great message about valuing one's time on earth. The whole thing is so amazing and well-made, you wouldn't believe this was a student film.

The Bad: A bit too odd, even for my taste. Could've been more relatable.

The Bottom Line: Strange yet beautiful, The Eagleman Stag is one short you just have to see.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: Love Exposure

Truly a one-of-a-kind experience: this is a massive epic that weaves an impressively deep and invoking story, which includes the search for true love, coming-of-age themes, family values, kung-fu, cross-dressing, upskirt photography, perverts, religion, sin, fanaticism, and dangerous cults. Only in Japan...

You'd think that a four hour movie (yes, FOUR hours! To think the film was originally going to be six hours) would get tiresome, but surprisingly, Love Exposure never once drags. Somehow, it strikes a perfect pace, never too fast and never too slow. It'll have scenes that are so wild and crazy that they're hilarious. It also has scenes that are somber and poetic. Overall, the film takes its time to let the story and characters breathe, making the story and characters easily accessible and relate-able, and it does so without being boring or overdone.

You'd also think that this film could be cut down further, but strangely, the story actually benefits from its lengthy runtime, and uses up every minute of it. It goes through three, four, five or so different characters, all with their own crazy and insightful backstories, who inevitably collide and create interesting new plot complications. With so many issues at work with so many characters, the film creates many complex relationships, and uses them to weave a tight and dense plot. The manner in which this plot is presented makes it pretty easy to comprehend, allowing the viewer to fully understand one strand of the plot before diving into another. It's also very effective at getting the viewer to care about the characters, even if they are crazy or violent or freaks. With such an ambitious plot structure at work, the film manages to dig up some important themes regarding love, life, and religion, and possibly other things.

The film is shot and edited in an interesting manner; at times, the way it frames and puts images together reminds me a lot of an anime series. As such, it is a stylish film with purposeful composition. Acting is pretty decent all around, and the writing is great. This production makes the best out of its utilitarian sets, props, and costumes. Music, while brusquely used, is strangely addictive and effective.

It's a long and crazy film, just as I expected, but it's also a film I couldn't stop watching, because its characters were so invoking, its themes so rich, and I found it so compelling overall.

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

Recommendation: There's nothing to be ashamed of. Watch this movie and confess your sins.

On Blu-Ray, this movie can be wildly inconsistent. Some scenes will look great. Others will have a gaudy amount of grain and noise (especially darker scenes or night scenes). Others seem really soft. Others look like they were made soft on purpose to simulate the look of an old-fashioned documentary. The picture is sharp throughout, but it'll look sharper in some scenes than in others. Colors and contrast will also vary. Chances are that all these issues may stem from having too many sources or something. Sound quality is generally not bad; most of the dialogue is clear and some scenes have a good surround noises, but some scenes have horrible sound.

PQ: 3.5/5, AQ: 3/5
----------
Thanks to Foggy and jvince and anybody else I may have forgotten for their reviews and recommendations on this.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Right on. Sounds like serious dedication.

I'll have to wait and see what the film's resonance value will be (only time and personal impression can determine that). As you say though, most of it is highly memorable, so I think it'll stick to me pretty well. If I redo the top 100 list a few years from now, it might penetrate the top 30 or so.

Like Foggy, I still remember everything clearly (which is amazing), so I think it'll stick with you as well. I gotta watch it again to see if it still holds up.

[surfdude12]

Never Let Me Go

Film: 2/5

-one phrase sums up the problem with this flick: "sci-fi love triangle". Look at that phrase for a good 10 seconds. It sums up a failed attempt to merge two incompatible genres (Sci-Fi and Romance). Sci-fi + Horror? Yes. Sci-fi + thriller? Yes. Sci-fi and Drama? Yes. But Sci-fi and Romance? Meh, not happening for me.
-basically here is the problem I had: the first half of the film focused on the sci-fi plot - very intruiging and had me hooked. The second half of the film? The romance plot took over, and like the new baby in the family, sucked all the attention of the viewer, who all but forgets that they're even watching a Sci-fi flick. Most of the romantic plot dialogue in the middle of the film could have happened in any scenario, thus undermining the futuristic sci-fi subplot. By the time the film tried to resurrent the Sci-fi plot, I had either forgotten what it was or was not convinced that it was that important

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Never Let Me Go

2010 R 103 minutes

Really? The

[Show spoiler]Doners

are educated? For what purpose? They are informed as to their purpose and destiny, yet never attempt to

[Show spoiler]escape

??? What? They are free to drive around, form relationships, make love, dine out, take vacations, yet never

[Show spoiler]rebel after tasting freedom

? They just succumb to their "assignment"?

Sorry, but that aspect alone completely RUINED the believablity, and therefore the ability of the audience (me) to take it seriously, which is what it was asking for.

Haha, I was thinking that too, but then I noticed

[Show spoiler]that they all have chips imbedded in their wrists, and must scan in-out whenever they leave the house or go anywhere If they were to attempt escape, it seems that the government would know so within hours of their attempt, and track them down in hours on a GPS

. But I agree that its weird we didn't even see

[Show spoiler]one escape ATTEMPT

. But this brings up an ancedote I read which may explain why they never attempted: when circus trainers raise a baby elephant after being born, they tie it to a tree, with a rope of, say 15 foot length. The baby elephant roams around in that 15 foot circle until its an adult. After becoming an adult, does the elephant snap the rope and run away, as it could with little effort? no. Why? Because its so conditioned to living in that 15 foot circle, that it never even considers wandering outside it The same thing arguably applies to humans and our thinking.

[Show spoiler]the students - they're so conditioend into accepting that they're "prisoners of the state" (so to speak) that they dont even attempt to escape - it doesnt even come up as a consideration in their mind - their mind is fully brainwashed into accepting their fate as a slave of teh state

.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

12. The White Ribbon didn't see it Exceptional film if you take it purely thematically and brace yourself for an ending that doesn't explain anything.

This is false. The White Ribbon did not have an ending that "doesn't explain anything". Because, The White Ribbon did NOT EVEN HAVE AN ENDING!

It was a five and a half star movie, just fantastic, then it just stopped.

Thats how I describe it, it didnt end, it just stopped.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Haha, I was thinking that too, but then I noticed

[Show spoiler]that they all have chips imbedded in their wrists, and must scan in-out whenever they leave the house or go anywhere If they were to attempt escape, it seems that the government would know so within hours of their attempt, and track them down in hours on a GPS

. But I agree that its weird we didn't even see

[Show spoiler]one escape ATTEMPT

. But this brings up an ancedote I read which may explain why they never attempted: when circus trainers raise a baby elephant after being born, they tie it to a tree, with a rope of, say 15 foot length. The baby elephant roams around in that 15 foot circle until its an adult. After becoming an adult, does the elephant snap the rope and run away, as it could with little effort? no. Why? Because its so conditioned to living in that 15 foot circle, that it never even considers wandering outside it The same thing arguably applies to humans and our thinking.

[Show spoiler]the students - they're so conditioend into accepting that they're "prisoners of the state" (so to speak) that they dont even attempt to escape - it doesnt even come up as a consideration in their mind - their mind is fully brainwashed into accepting their fate as a slave of teh state

.

Razor blade.

Remove chip.

Freedom.










Crap movie.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

This is false. The White Ribbon did not have an ending that "doesn't explain anything". Because, The White Ribbon did NOT EVEN HAVE AN ENDING!

It was a five and a half star movie, just fantastic, then it just stopped.

Thats how I describe it, it didnt end, it just stopped.

Lmao fair enough. I won't defend that ending but I will input that at least there is a reason the film "ends" that way. Haneke did have a purpose for that--so we are forced to think. Forced to take it purely thematically. Honestly I was upset that you mentioned how it ended in your review before I saw the film, but ultimately knowing that beforehand is what helped me enjoy it.

[SquidPuppet]

Chico and Rita



Loved it.

A wonderful love story, spanning 6+ decades, about a Cuban Pianist and a Singer told via lengthy flashbacks.

Animation: Gorgeous. Moody. Evocative.
Cinematography: Fantastic framing, cool camera placements and movements.
Score and music: Terrific. Latiny and jazzy and cool.
Directing: Smooth and flowing.
Pacing: Seductively rhythmic.
Sound design and editing: Nailed it big time. From subtle footsteps and kisses, to motorcycle kick-starts and squealing tires, to airplanes and oceanliners.
Voice acting: Dunno, Yo no hablo español.

Halfway through the film I wanted to find a time machine and go back to 1948 Cuba. I could feel the sun. I could feel the sensuality of the music and the nighclubs and the dancing.

Film: 5/5
PQ: 5/5
AQ: 5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Lmao fair enough. I won't defend that ending but I will input that at least there is a reason the film "ends" that way. Haneke did have a purpose for that--so we are forced to think. Forced to take it purely thematically. Honestly I was upset that you mentioned how it ended in your review before I saw the film, but ultimately knowing that beforehand is what helped me enjoy it.

I remember watching the film and thinking "This is awesome, so deep, so complex, I cant wait to write a review for the guys at Blu-ray.com."

Then it just "stopped".

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I remember watching the film and thinking "This is awesome, so deep, so complex, I cant wait to write a review for the guys at Blu-ray.com."




Then it just "stopped".*

As far as the narrative, the ending (answers) were laced throughout the film. With closer analysis or a second viewing, you might like it more. I will emphasize that knowing beforehand made a huge difference in my experience and helped me construct the ending in real time.

I'm with you--the ending killed some of my enthusiasm. If it delivered a punch it could have topped the year for me.

[SquidPuppet]

The Invisible War

2012 / NR / 93 minutes / DVD

Netflix synopsis: This documentary calls attention to little-known facts about the high prevalence of rape within the ranks of America's armed forces. Interviews with military personnel, elected officials and rape victims provide alarming evidence.

It's an excellent documentary. It is structured and edited extremely well.

There is NO justice available for sexual assault victims in the US Military. There is nothing but coverups, hiding, victim blaming, unjust discharges and on and on and on.

Bottom Line: The US Military classifies Rape as an "Occupational Hazard". Literally.

Informative, scary, and SAD.

Film 4/5