The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Flight - 4/5

first viewing.

Denzel gives a great performance that isn't great in a typical Denzel way. Usually Denzel is looked at as being great because of his fierceness, ferocity and overall "loud" characters (i.e. Training Day). But in Flight he is almost the exact opposite yet still puts in and makes a tremendous performance.

I found it at times oddly paced though and some of the music didn't seem to fit

The conversation in the hospital stairway was, for whatever reason, mind blowing to me. It seemed so real, like the

[Show spoiler]cancer patient

wasn't an actor, and what he was saying seemed so real and his actions and demeanor seemed so real. It seemed something not from a movie, but of a documentary or a discussion with someone. It was amazing, at least to me, and I still can't quite figure out why...

The crash scene is superbly acted, shot, directed and visually amazing. Absolutely stunning work by all

I do worry what younger audiences will think and take of Denzel "getting ready" for the interview with the board. It worries me that kids may take the scene wrong and think,

[Show spoiler]"oh cool, Denzel does coke and then he's all prepared and cool! I can be like that too!"

but that doesn't effect the rating of the film itself.

John Goodman's character seemed a bit out of place and almost too over the top. Would have fit in well in The Big Lebowski though.

The character logic also suffered a big failure with Whip somehow not knowing that

[Show spoiler]his blood would be drawn instantly after a crash?

Isn't that pretty much common sense for any type of accident to have that happen? Especially when deaths are involved? I found it hard to believe when he was shocked they already did this after the crash but that's a minor quibble.

The ending was very tense and I had no idea how the film would end. I guess looking back, it's pretty obvious how it would end. Would have been a seriously move to end the film any differently than it did.

Really good film, not sure I would ever watch it again though

[iam1bearcat]

End of Watch - 4/5

first viewing.

My biggest gripe with this film is where the hell were all the cameras that Gyllenhaal was looking at during the film? I get that he had a camera, and he and his partner also had a camera on their uniform, but numerous times throughout the film Gyllenhaal looks and smiles or goofs at a camera in the back of the car, side of the car, following them, or something else. That gives the impression that these scenes have someone following him and his partner, not that the director is going for a "Bourne Ultimatum" type feel of film making.

Aside from that distraction, holy hell, this was much better than expected!

Story surprised me by building up to the issue and not just having one event cause all the ruckus.

I also have a serious issue with the criminals filming themselves killing others and such now, i know people do really, really dumb things, but you think at some point, with how secretive most gangs / cartels are, the LAST thing you would be okay with is some weird girl that looks like a dude recording what crimes you are committing.

The film was at times incredibly intense (the old lady's house ) and it was amazing at capturing how quickly a normal scene would suddenly feel much worse with just someone yelling or screaming or something. The panic meter in most of us would jump off the scales in most of these situations! But maybe, I was "panicking" because I knew something was going to happen. Like on COPS. You don't see any episode of COPS where nothing happens and they won't make a cop film about nothing that happens, so any scenes are bound to contain escalating issues. But that's me thinking too much I suppose

The ending was incredibly touching, disheartening, depressing, sad, maddening and then kind of uplifting, but still really deflating. Also it was incredibly ridiculous...

1.

[Show spoiler]Once outside, why didn't they use their cell phones then to contact the department and give an update on where they were?

2.

[Show spoiler]When the truck turns into the alley, while knowing full well people are all over the place trying to kill you, why do you continue to walk directly at it? "Is that us?" - why don't you f*cking hide or duck and wait and see?!?! Why continue to walk RIGHT AT THE VEHICLE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON YOU?!

I had no idea that Anna Kendrick was in this!
I also didn't know it was possible to make her more adorable than she already is, but the film succeeded.

The partnership between Brian and Mike was terrific! Comical, touching, important and showed what I'm sure a lot of partnerships are like on the force - you become family / brothers and you care for each other on a level that I'm sure only Military can understand.

However, with that said, some of the tones and mood shifts in the film felt too abrupt. But maybe that's the point? Police work I'm sure is very abrupt - one minute joking around in the car and the next you have someone shooting at you trying to end your life or you find a dead crack head in an alleyway - no time to prepare for that.

Anyway, enough babbling by me. I enjoyed End of Watch much more than I thought I would. Recommended for a rental

[Abdrewes]

^^^^^
I hated the endings for both End of Watch and Flight. Way too contrived and melodramatic.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Flight - 4/5

[Show spoiler]first viewing.

Denzel gives a great performance that isn't great in a typical Denzel way. Usually Denzel is looked at as being great because of his fierceness, ferocity and overall "loud" characters (i.e. Training Day). But in Flight he is almost the exact opposite yet still puts in and makes a tremendous performance.

I found it at times oddly paced though and some of the music didn't seem to fit

The conversation in the hospital stairway was, for whatever reason, mind blowing to me. It seemed so real, like the

[Show spoiler]cancer patient

wasn't an actor, and what he was saying seemed so real and his actions and demeanor seemed so real. It seemed something not from a movie, but of a documentary or a discussion with someone. It was amazing, at least to me, and I still can't quite figure out why...

The crash scene is superbly acted, shot, directed and visually amazing. Absolutely stunning work by all

That scene is my single favorite movie moment of the year. Probably tied with that dialogue scene in The Master and a scene in The Impossible.

I do worry what younger audiences will think and take of Denzel "getting ready" for the interview with the board. It worries me that kids may take the scene wrong and think,

[Show spoiler]"oh cool, Denzel does coke and then he's all prepared and cool! I can be like that too!"

but that doesn't effect the rating of the film itself.

John Goodman's character seemed a bit out of place and almost too over the top. Would have fit in well in The Big Lebowski though.

John Goodman's character was amazing! It gave the atmosphere a breath of fresh air. If anything, his character is the biggest reason that scene

[Show spoiler]glorifies drugs

.

The ending was very tense and I had no idea how the film would end. I guess looking back, it's pretty obvious how it would end. Would have been a seriously move to end the film any differently than it did.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

^^^^^
I hated the endings for both End of Watch and Flight. Way too contrived and melodramatic.

Flight's ending was perfect. It really made the movie for me. I know a few pilots and while they're not uptight, they take the ethics extremely seriously.

[Show spoiler]His decision surfaced not from professionalism, but from conscience

.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I would post a review for Rust & Bone, but I really feel I need time and a second viewing to sort it all out. It's fascinating and a total triumph on Audiard's behalf.

I feel the same way about having to see it again. Audiard's past two films left me in prolonged reflection about the depths of the characters--by far the best thing a film can provide me. The problem is the character and his resolution in this one left me frustrated. Still can't wait to see it again though.

I loved its use of Katy Perry's Fireworks. I would have never seen the dramatic potential from that kind of song. Also, some great moments in this one too. Particularly when she returns to the orcas.

[Abdrewes]

I felt no surprise as to where it ended. In fact,the building that the wing clips on its spectacular landing is very telling. I knew exactly where Zemeckis was taking us.

I think there's a moment (the close up at the deposition) where the movie should have ended. It would have been fairly subtle, but pretty easy to understand what was at stake and what Whip Whittaker must do. After that it spelled way too much out for the audience and got extremely heavy-handed in a PSA type of way.

I still thought the Two hours preceding to be quite moving and thoughtful amidst the predictability. Denzel gives a powerhouse performance and Zemeckis (mostly) demonstrates he hasn't lost his touch.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Tell us what you think of the last ten minutes of Flight. You're gonna have a strong reaction either way.

Yieesh...Wreck it Ralph, Just be prepared for when you do see it. It's frenetic, colorful and relentless. I totally adored the Paperman short that played before it. Easily better than WIW in every way, Im seriously considering getting the BD just for that short.

I would post a review for Rust & Bone, but I really feel I need time and a second viewing to sort it all out. It's fascinating and a total triumph on Audiard's behalf.

Well I found the ending in tune with the rest of the film. It all felt McDonalds-esque, just a big crowd pleasing film with nothing wrong, but nothing amazing. It just all works mechanically.

The big review is on my Letterboxd account (which is now free for everyone to use now) but the ending itself was decent, it's simply in tune with the rest of the film and was where the whole film was building to.

Good shout on the cancer scene though Bearcat, that was the standout moment of the film there, and I wish the film played more like that (random encounters with people all playing in with the theme) but it didn't. I didn't like the heavy handiness of the religion subtext though, it was always in the background and really distracting.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Well I found the ending in tune with the rest of the film. It all felt McDonalds-esque, just a big crowd pleasing film with nothing wrong, but nothing amazing. It just all works mechanically.

The big review is on my Letterboxd account (which is now free for everyone to use now) but the ending itself was decent, it's simply in tune with the rest of the film and was where the whole film was building to.

Good shout on the cancer scene though Bearcat, that was the standout moment of the film there, and I wish the film played more like that (random encounters with people all playing in with the theme) but it didn't. I didn't like the heavy handiness of the religion subtext though, it was always in the background and really distracting.

I slightly disagree on some points:
•Zemeckis has lost none of his strong visual sense. It was quite impressive what he can accomplish with a take (however heavy handed)

•I think Denzel has never been better, in fact he was "Whip Whittacker" except for when the writing fails him, so I guess he's 3/4ths Whip Whittacker.

•WTF?!? Flight was quite polarizing here in the states. Sure, most appreciated it but I think there were more that hated it than those that unabashedly loved it?

•The ending is totally Mickie D's though (which I hate)

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I slightly disagree on some points:
•Zemeckis has lost none of his strong visual sense. It was quite impressive what he can accomplish with a take (however heavy handed)

•I think Denzel has never been better, in fact he was "Whip Whittacker" except for when the writing fails him, so I guess he's 3/4ths Whip Whittacker.

•WTF?!? Flight was quite polarizing here in the states. Sure, most appreciated it but I think there were more that hated it than those that unabashedly loved it?

•The ending is totally Mickie D's though (which I hate)

Can't disagree with anything (although most people seemed to like it in the US). And while I did diss Washington, I do think he's terrific in the role, just not entirely convincing.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Can't disagree with anything (although most people seemed to like it in the US). And while I did diss Washington, I do think he's terrific in the role, just not entirely convincing.

I can agree that the melodrama/cliche takes away from his performance. The film tries to hammer him into a certain shape and to his credit, Denzel mostly rises above.

But yeah, trust me Ive read/listened to some pretty damning reviews of Flight. Everywhere from Armond White's left of center panning to several podcasts that found it laughable. I certainly think it's good, i was just a bit let down because some of the ingredients were great.

[ZooTv]

Side Effects - 9/10

The less you know about the film going in, the more you will enjoy it. Another solid addition to Soderbergh's acclaimed body of work.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Side Effects - 9/10

The less you know about the film going in, the more you will enjoy it. Another solid addition to Soderbergh's acclaimed body of work.

Seeing this tonight hopefully

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Seeing this tonight hopefully

Nice... Look forward to hearing your take on it.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Nice... Look forward to hearing your take on it.

I'm trying not to read anything but I'm sure this interview with Soderbergh is good:
http://mubi.com/notebook/posts/troja...ven-soderbergh

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Well I found the ending in tune with the rest of the film. It all felt McDonalds-esque, just a big crowd pleasing film with nothing wrong, but nothing amazing. It just all works mechanically.

I see what you're getting at--formulaic and nothing new to impress or stimulate the mind. That has distracted me before in films such as The Fighter, where it constantly appears unoriginal (although a true story). Personally, I did not find any familiar elements distracting here. Maybe they are there, but the sincerity in Denzel's performance is so involving that it really makes any of it secondary. And the fact that it is a character study centered on a pilot adds mystery and intrigue because it's new territory, separating it from the typical alcoholism niche. As a matter of fact, it's the premise that initially drew me in to see the film because I knew it would be a complex character for Denzel--something he hasn't taken on for a long time.

I know the religious undertone bothered some, but to me, a film about a recovering alcoholic is a film about mental power, which has everything to do with faith.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Guys...

[Show spoiler]

1,000,000 views!!!

Holy Smokes.

[KingRad]

The Bourne Legacy - 3/5
While it doesn't hold a candle to the previous three Bourne films, it was better than I had expected.

Seven Psychopaths - 3.5/5
This was a fun movie, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I originally had anticipated, but still very entertaining. Great cast with great performances, witty dialogue, and over the top violence. A bit too predictable at times, and it was hard to take the movie serious when it wanted to be.

[Abdrewes]

Side Effects (2013)

Where to begin? The excellent Rooney Mara convincingly plays a woman whose boyfriend just got out of jail. Four years or so of maintaining a healthy relationship and now her uncontrollable slide into depression begins. She begins to see a doctor (Jude Law) whom prescribes her the fictional drug 'Ablixa.'

At this point we all know where it's going (just look at the title). But let me tell/warn you, you'll get a little more than you bargained for. To divulge any more details would be a spoiler, but let me tell you this: Side Effects is among the most audience friendly films of Soderbergh's recent output. I'm not gonna say this film breaks any new cinematic territory (although from a production stand point it's very forward thinking), but it's an absolute he'll of a ride. Guiltily, I had a grin across my face throughput much of it's run time.

I also think it's the most fully realized production of the last four Soderbergh features. Contagion clearly couldn't hide each major actor was only free for two weeks, the B-movie foundation and low aim was all too evident in Haywire & well, Magic Mike is certainly awesome, but, Soderbergh maybe sorta didn't fully integrate his musings on the economy with the beefcake-sploitation. Side Effects on the other hand is an assured example of the best digital filmmaking can offer. In allowing Soderbergh to cut his films the same day they are shot, he can order a reshoot at little extra cost, thus the added fluidity. Both in regards to character arcs and continuity between scenes. Furthermore, his montage and sense of time via editing is to be admired. There are no pacing issues as in the herky jerky fun of Haywire.

I'm confident that this can't be the end. This is not the work of some juiced-out fogey: Soderbergh's direction is as tight, concise and professional as it's ever been and this is yet another example that this guy can make any genre his b----. Midpoint developments had me quoting Leonardo DiCaprio's Calvin Candie: "You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention."

4.5/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I thought you meant your blog for a moment

lol, nah, I got a looong ways to go for that. Currently only have 7,000+ hits.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: Samsara

Over the past few years, I became quite excited to see Ron Fricke’s latest film. Having previously seen his beautiful cinematography in the Qatsi trilogy and Baraka, I figured that Samsara would at least offer a splendid and visually stunning experience. I was just a little worried that the film wouldn’t deliver on the same level as Baraka.

Even though many viewers seem to favor Baraka over this, I found Samsara to have enough strengths of its own to stand out. I’m still trying to figure out which of the two films I enjoy better.

On its own merits, Samsara offers a unique visual experience, as it explores many different countries and captures a plethora of exotic, unique, and inspiring sights. The film takes us through temples, mountains, volcanoes, cities, factories, nightclubs, a prison, and other interesting places that I’d probably never see in a lifetime. As usual, the film uses very solid, steady, and smooth photography to capture the settings and its people immaculately. Some shots are quite impressive; one such shot that stood out to me occurred when the camera flew over a cityscape, while it was being time-lapsed, so it showed the city lights and cars moving really fast with smooth streaking lights, while the camera moved and passed over the skyscrapers. There are plenty of other shots that utilize the time-lapse method, showing a sped-up view of things that makes the ordinary suddenly seem extraordinary.

What really pushes the film above and beyond for me will be its occasional moments of weird, wild, impressionistic imagery. Key scenes that stand out to me include the shot of a man, shirtless and covered with tattoos, cuddling a baby gently and doting on him. There’s some startling imagery of patients at a cosmetic surgery, juxtapose to scenes of a Japanese sex doll factory. There’s a wild and energetic scene of Filipino prisoners doing a dance routine in the prison courtyard. There’s a shot of some woman with a weird face mask and weird-looking eyes (just one of many odd portrait shots throughout the film). The one key scene that really propels the movie above and beyond in my viewpoint would be the scene about forty minutes in: in a nightmarish fashion, a man behind a desk suddenly smears clay all over his face and daubs himself with ink, until he appears ghoulish. It’s odd stuff like this that not only invokes an emotional reaction and stirs the spirit, but also reveals the wild and unusual things in our world that we may or may not even be aware of.

At first, I really wasn’t sure what the point of these images was. As it goes on, the film does string up some common themes of death and rebirth, and of human civilization. It does so quite sublimely by putting the images together in a way that will make the audience put two-and-two together. The title Samsara is Sanskrit for “continuous flow,” and that’s pretty much what the film does: it continuously flows from one scene to another to allow for a continuous flow of thought and feeling.

With its expert craftsmanship, exotic subject matter, and a wonderful music score, Samsara is a strong piece of work, and is definitely worth a look.

5/5 (Experience: Very Good | Content: Very Good | Film: Perfect)

Recommendation: Yeah.

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

[jvince]

division of gravity - YouTube

The Division of Gravity (2011)
dir. Rob Chiu

The Good: Amazing voiceover; very poetic/lyrical. Gorgeous cinematography. A touch Malick-esque. Excellent editing. Fitting score. Pretty good acting, especially the girl.

The Bad: Too. F*cking. Depressing.

The Bottom Line: Wow is all I can say. I can't wait to see what Chiu can do with a feature-length film.